A WOMAN with a drink problem attacked a cerebral palsy sufferer accusing him of being, "a kiddy fiddler".

Tracey Ann Campbell, 38, approached the man as he left a police station in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in a motorised wheelchair, on May 15 last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that, smelling strongly of alcohol, she bent down to make the remark directly to his face.

Graeme Gaston, prosecuting, said the disabled man responded by slapping her cheek, but she then punched him three times, scratched his face and attempted to poke her thumbs into his eyes.

She also kicked him up to four times in the face, leaving him with bruises and scratches around his eyes, face and nose.

Mr Gaston said: "When it came to an end he went straight back to report the attack at the police station."

When arrested nearby, Campbell, still smelling strongly of drink, told officers: "I hate people like that."

She gave no replies in a subsequent interview, but forensic tests later revealed blood on her footwear came from the attack victim.

Richard Herrmann, for Campbell, said she thought the complainant made a comment to her, to which she responded.

"She thought this man was a known offender and she admits being prejudiced."

Mr Herrmann said Campbell, "expresses a loathing of sex offenders", having previously remonstrated at the home of another man.

Recorder David Gordon said: "She seems to be a one woman posse of vigilantes."

He added that she has had chronic alcohol problems for 25 years.

Campbell, of Bridge Street, Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, County Durham, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Jailing her today for nine months, Recorder Gordon said the attack was so serious only an immediate prison sentence was justified.

He advised Campbell to attempt to tackle her alcohol problem on her release.