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​Convicted Paedophile And Sex Offender Get Tied To Bench And Covered In Paint In Citizen's Arrest

​Convicted Paedophile And Sex Offender Get Tied To Bench And Covered In Paint In Citizen's Arrest

Footage shows James White and Jason Lydiard with their hands tied behind their backs, having been covered in blue paint

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A convicted paedophile and a sex offender who were both on the run from police have been tied to a bench and covered in paint in a suspected citizen's arrest.

Footage showed James White, 48, and Jason Lydiard (also known as Alexis Guesto), 26, with their hands tied behind their backs in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, having been covered in blue paint.

Police have said that the two sustained injuries from the incident, and had been taken to hospital for treatment - also adding that there can never be an excuse for people 'taking the law into their own hands'.

PSNI

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie, from PSNI Public Protection Branch, said: "I understand that feelings in the area have been running high over the search for these men, however, there can never be an excuse for violence or people taking the law into their own hands.

"We will be investigating the assault and working to identify anyone involved."

According to the Armagh I, White and Lydiard were taken into custody by police, who arrived on the scene shortly after the incident took place.

The blue Peugeot 206 that they had been travelling had all of its four tyres slashed, when it was parked outside a church.

Both men were wanted for a range of offences - including breach of license and warrants - and police had undergone a widespread appeal seeking help to track the down.

Photopress

White was jailed in Ireland back in 1998 for sexual assault charges relating to a 14-year-old boy, while Lydiard has nine convictions for sexual assault, assaults causing harm and threats to kill.

Commenting on what had happened, local Sinn Féin Councillor Mickey Larkin said that the vigilance displayed in this instance was 'unfortunate'.

He said: "The vigilance of the south Armagh community in relation to these two individuals and the cooperation between our community and the PSNI over the past few days is worthy of praise.

"It is reported that some members of the public took the law into their own hands tonight when these two were apprehended. That is unfortunate.

"However the two individuals are now in custody and that is to be welcomed."

Lydiard had been released from custody earlier this year, having faced a seven-month sentence after ignoring a court order that banned him from using online dating sites.

Before the two went missing, they had reportedly told police of their plans to marry each other.

Featured Image Credit: Photopress

Topics: Ireland, News