A BURGLARY victim who tried to take the law into his own hands has narrowly escaped a prison sentence.

David McGuinness lost property worth £1,500 when his shed was broken into, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He then confronted three schoolboys and told one he thought was responsible for the raid that he had the right to "smash his teeth in", said Samantha Powell, prosecuting.

The lad handed over his £115 watch to McGuinness and another boy gave him his £60 ring.

McGuinness, aged 25, of Astwood Road, Worcester, admitted robbery and putting people in fear of violence.

Judge Anthony King ordered him to carry out 200 hours community work and warned he had come "precious close" to custody.

But he took into account his previous good character and said he had genuinely believed the schoolboy was the burglar.

The judge said: "The law applies to everyone. There was no excuse to decide what the law was and deal with it yourself."

McGuinness came across the trio in St Dunstan's Close, Worcester, on September 14. He threatened a 15-year-old who denied he was the burglar and unleased a barrage of abuse, said Miss Powell.

The defendant had a two-year-old child by his girlfriend and had been terrified of the prospect of custody, said his barrister Timothy Green.

The stolen property belonged to him and his ex-wife and included sentimental items such as children's photographs and toys.

"He heard on the estate through a rumour that the boy was involved," said Mr Green. "He realises what he did was unforgiveable. He didn't foresee the kind of trouble he was going to get into but has learnt his lesson."