EDMONTON -- A vigilante father who took the law into his own hands after the twin sons of his best friend molested his young daughter was given a conditional discharge yesterday.

As a result, the 36-year-old Wetaskiwin man - who pulled a gun on the teens and fired it and then hit one of them on the hand with a hammer - will not get a criminal record if he successfully completes 15 months of probation.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Sterling Sanderman called the man's vigilante actions a "most imperfect and foolish solution" to an "emotionally charged" incident.

PUBLIC INTEREST

However, the judge said "one could certainly understand his anger and frustration" and ruled it would not be against the public interest to grant him a discharge.

"It's clear he was feeling angry and experiencing extreme betrayal," said Sanderman, accepting the man is a solid citizen who is ashamed and truly remorseful.

He also ruled the vigilantism was to find out the truth and correct wrongful behaviour, rather than to seek revenge.

Sanderman put the man on probation for 15 months and ordered he either do 75 hours of community service or make a $1,500 donation to the Youth Emergency Shelter.

He must also undergo an assessment to see whether he needs anger management counselling and was ordered to surrender a DNA sample for the national DNA databank and prohibited from possessing weapons for 10 years.

Just before being sentenced, the man apologized and explained it is a difficult situation to be put in.

"I think it is very easy for someone to say what they would do if something happened to their children, but I found out for myself that you can say all you want, but until you are placed in that position, there's no telling what could come to your mind and what actions you might take."

The man, who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon and careless use of a firearm.

According to agreed facts, the two men are best friends who have known each other for 27 years. On March 31, 2007, the 16-year-old twins were at the Wetaskiwin man's home and playing downstairs with his young daughters.

At some point the pair both touched the private parts of a then-five-year-old girl, and her parents found out. The man then told the twins to pack up and get in his truck.

GRABBED A HANDGUN

During the drive to the teens' Edmonton house, the man pulled over, grabbed a handgun and demanded the boys tell him what they had done. He then shot off a round.

Once at the home, the twins' father joined his friend in the truck and they shared half a 26-ounce bottle of booze.

The Wetaskiwin man then asked his pal "what should I do - smack their hand with a hammer?" The friend replied: "It's up to you - you might get your point across."

The teens were then told to put their hands on the rear bumper and the man hit the hand of one of the boys with the hammer while the other one pulled his hand away.

Police were called the next day after the injured boy told his school nurse what had happened.