A TEENAGER who stabbed a paedophile in revenge for his own childhood sex abuse was sent to young offenders' institution for two years yesterday.

Daniel Sweeney, 19, was drunk at a party when he heard that sex offender George Kirk lived next door.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Sweeney grabbed an 8in kitchen knife and plunged it into Mr Kirk's face when he answered his door.

Mr Kirk died months later from an unrelated heart attack, said Michael Bosomworth, prosecuting.

The court heard that Sweeney's girlfriend tried to stop the attack by shouting after him: "Dan, it's not worth it".

She took him to surrender to police after Mr Kirk, 52, was treated in hospital for a deep cut to his right cheek.

Sweeney, who had a history of mental illness, had not been taking his medication, said Nigel Soppitt, in mitigation. He added: "He had a tormented childhood because of being subjected to sexual abuse, witnessing physical abuse and culminating in the death of his father.

"His mental problems are now being looked after and he has the support of his partner."

Judge David Bryant told Sweeney: "Whatever the victim may have done to other people, he had done nothing to you, and he had been dealt with in a proper way by the courts. It is not for you or anybody else to go around attacking people who you disapprove of."

Sweeney of Grove Street, Stockton, Teesside, was sent to a young offender's institution for two years after he pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding on the June 18, last year.