A DISTRAUGHT dad attacked the house and cars of a couple whose son he believed had molested his five-year-old daughter.

The 40-year-old, from a village near Worcester, had let his anger build up for nearly two months before tearing off his shirt and lashing out, Worcester magistrates heard yesterday.

He admitted criminal damage and affray.

Abi Nixon, prosecuting, said the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went round to the house on Tuesday, June 18, and started shouting abuse at the occupants.

She said he damaged a door before hurling an ornamental stone block through the window of a car parked outside.

He then carried on attacking the car and a van, causing more than £1,000 worth of damage.

"Witnesses said he appeared very drunk," said Miss Nixon.

"He became very agitated, threw his shirt on the floor and kicked the car."

Rob Macrory, defending, said the offences were pre-meditated, but out of character.

He said his behaviour had been triggered by two of his neighbours claiming to have witnessed his victims' 12-year-old son trying to commit a sexual act on his five-year-old daughter.

This was alleged to have happened seven weeks before he took revenge.

"Since then, he has been full of rage about what the child had done," said Mr Macrory.

Mr Macrory said his client claimed the boy's parents had been smiling and laughing at him, and maintained the incident had had a devastating effect on his private life.

"He says his daughter has become completely reserved and has little to do with him," said Mr Macrory.

He said the incident had also put a strain on his client's marriage, which had only recently returned to normal after a period of separation.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 18, for a pre-sentence report. The man was released on bail.