A GROUP of vigilantes broke down the door of a flat where they believed a 15-year-old girl was being corrupted into prostitution and drugs, a court heard.

Michael Rawlings, his daughter Kelly and Kevin Docherty smashed through the door at Natasha Murphy's Pewsey home before Mr Rawlings attacked a man on the landing.

Julian Howells, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court Miss Murphy had received anonymous calls alleging she had been working Swindon's Manchester Road with Faye Rawlings before the three from Wroughton appeared at her door at 3am.

As they banged on her door in Goddard Road, Pewsey, she bolted it and called the police. But they broke through the door and rushed into the flat and using a truncheon-like implement, Mr Rawlings attacked Miss Murphy's friend Shaha Zaman who was inside.

He said Mr Zaman was struck a number of times leaving him with a 10cm laceration which needed eight stitches, and other bruises.

Miss Murphy was also struck in the fracas, he said, and Miss Rawlings yelled that she would kill her if she called the police.

He added 50-year-old Mr Rawlings, of Wharf Road, had a history of offending, including grievous bodily harm and assaulting a police officer in 1997.

Daughter Kelly, 20, also of Wharf Road, had been jailed for three robberies and an actual bodily harm two years ago.

Docherty, 39, of St Andrew's Close, had a number of spent convictions.

Chris Smyth, defending, said all three admitted an affray on February 12 and Mr Rawlings pleaded guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm.

He said Faye, Mr Rawlings' 15-year- old daughter and the sister of Miss Rawlings, was in the house in Pewsey all the time and hiding in the loft.

Kelly and Docherty had gone to help and although they admitted going to the house they denied any assault on Miss Murphy.

Judge John Foley said: I would have had more sympathy if you had gone to the police rather than acting as a vigilante group. Courts will not tolerate vigilantes.

He ordered Docherty to do 120 hours community service, Mr Rawlings 200 hours and Miss Rawlings a year's probation.

They were also ordered to pay £636 compensation for the door and £700 prosecution costs and Mr Rawlings was also told to pay Mr Zaman £400.