TWO 'self appointed vigilantes' were spared jailed after targeting and threatening a registered sex offender, a court heard.

Andrew Thomas, 29, and Raymond Morgan, 30, both of Harlech Close, Banbury, took it upon themselves to 'have a word' with Carl Abbott after they were concerned that the sex offender's bedroom window overlooked a green where Morgan's seven-year-old son played.

The pair went round to a friend's home, which happened to be in the same building as Mr Abbott's, on July 11 2015, and banged on his door.

When Mr Abbott refused to answer, the two men climbed onto his roof. They then began to throw 'incompetent punches' at Mr Abbott and made threats.

Judge Maria Lamb lambasted the pair as she sentenced them both to six weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

Speaking at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, she said: "You saw this as an opportunity, as self appointed vigilantes, to push this man out of your community.

"That behaviour will not be tolerated by these courts.

"It does not matter what your motive was that night, you had no right to threaten another individual in that way.

"That man has not returned to his home. He has had to start up his life elsewhere."

Since the incident, almost two years ago, Judge Lamb said Mr Abbott was constantly 'looking over his shoulder.'

She added: "That is all completely unacceptable and it is serious.

"Both your partners are in court today and they should be able to rely on you as responsible role models to your children."

Jonathan Coode, defending Morgan, said that he fully recognised what he did was wrong.

He added: "The concern, and it was a genuine concern, is that Mr Abbott's bedroom window overlooked the green in the cul-de-sac where the children played, including Mr Morgan's seven-year-old son.

"Although he appreciates it was the wrong way to go about things, it was a genuine concern.

"After eight cans of lager he wanted to have a word.

"He did not like the idea of this man having a grandstand seat overlooking the green where the children played."

Martin Hawkes, defending Thomas, said he would carry 'scars for life' after a knife was produced during the incident, leaving Thomas with a scar across his cheek and chest.

He added: "There is a different side to Mr Thomas to the fearful side Mr Abbott experienced.

"He regrets the incident and, in hindsight, he knows what he should have done."

After admitting threatening behaviour under the Public Order Act, both men were also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay court costs of £85.