A man who admitted punching a sleeping stranger, breaking his jaw, after being told he was a ‘paedophile’ has been spared jail after waiting almost two years for his day in court.

Gary Reilley, 37, went to the home of David Greaves on August 21, 2020, after being told that he was a child sex offender – claims which are fabricated and have never been proven.

Prosecuting at Burnley Crown Court, Stephen Parker said that Reilley had been messaged on Facebook and went straight to Mr Greaves's home, a man who was a complete stranger to him.

He burst into the house and found his victim sleeping upstairs and hit him in the face, breaking his jaw.

Mr Greaves was in ill health when the incident occurred, leading him to need a lengthy spell in the hospital before being taken care of by his sister for several weeks.

Mr Grieves has since died, but his death is completely unrelated to the attack, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Mitigating, Kristian Cavanagh said Reilley had been waiting for two years for the matter to make its way to court, after admitting to officers what he had done back in August 2020.

Reilley has also taken full responsibility for the incident and has a wife and family to provide for, which he does by working as a self-employed upholsterer.

Reilley, of Sheridan Road, Colne was given a 17-month sentence suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

He was also ordered to complete 20 days rehabilitation and 200 hours of unpaid work.