A PRISONER waited years to attack an inmate who had indecently assaulted children, a court heard yesterday.

Christopher Rawlings bided his time for three years until he got out of prison. Then he sought out the man and viciously attacked him, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Rawlings saw the man with his family in Middlesbrough and vowed: "Next time I see you without your kids, I'll knife you."

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said that weeks later the man was walking with a friend in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, when he was pushed to the ground and kicked three or four times.

He needed hospital treatment for a facial fracture.

When police interviewed Rawlings, he accepted that there was animosity between them but he did not admit the attack, the court heard.

Police also raided his home on suspicion that drugs were being sold there and they found cannabis resin worth £620.

Rawlings, of Outhwaite Street, Middlesbrough, was ordered to serve two years' jail left from his previous sentence, with two years to run consecutively.

He pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm assault in October 2001 and possession of cannabis resin with intent to supply in March last year.

Jonnie Walker, defending, said that while Rawlings was in prison he had heard about the man's conviction for indecent assault.

He said: "It was three years before he was released from that term of imprisonment, and his anger built up."