A SCUFFLE outside the home of a man convicted of child pornography offences was the climax of a campaign by vigilantes, Selby magistrates heard.

Ian Harrison, 55, and Brian Smith, 40, were arrested early on May 27 following the disturbance outside the family home of Kevin Payne, in Park Lane, Barlow, near Selby.

Lee Payne, 25, also appeared in court, pleading guilty to using threatening words and behaviour towards Smith and PC Charlotte Scott.

Payne's father last week admitted 15 counts of making indecent photographs of children by downloading them from the internet. He is currently on unconditional bail awaiting sentence at York Crown Court on June 23.

Mr Payne's court appearances created bad feeling in the village of Barlow, resulting in an angry mob gathering outside his home on the night of May 26.

Police were called several times and six officers were in attendance when Lee Payne returned to the house at 12.30am following a night out in Selby.

Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, said that Smith began to scream abuse at Lee Payne, who then "flipped". Officers had to restrain the two men and, during the scuffle, Payne pushed PC Scott against a wall and punched her in the left temple.

Daniel Fischbach, representing Payne, said before the night of the disturbance, the family had been subjected to threats and abusive language.

They had also found their car filled up with rubbish and their windows painted black.

"That night was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. He effectively lost self-control whilst under the influence of a large amount of alcohol."

Helen Dawson, prosecuting, said that Harrison, of Hunters Walk, Barlow, was originally given a harassment warning by police after he visited the Payne residence on May 17 carrying a sledgehammer.

But on May 26 he returned to throw stones and eggs at their home and car, resulting in his arrest by police.

Keith Haggerty, representing Harrison, said: "He cannot explain why he got caught up in this trouble. It maybe that the hysteria of the situation got to him."

Harrison and Smith were bound over in the sum of £600 to keep the peace for the next 12 months after prosecution lawyers agreed to withdraw charges of harassment. Magistrates told them that they must stay away from the Payne family.

Payne was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £55 costs.

Peter Smith, presiding, described those taking action against Kevin Payne as vigilantes.

He told Lee Payne: "One hopes that these measures taken today will lead to a calming down of tensions so that you and your family can go about your lives in peace and other people will not take the law into their own hands."

Updated: 12:12 Friday, June 06, 2003