[Ammi]

He desperately wanted to be like his favourite superheroes. But Tanis Baker’s efforts at fighting crime were more comic farce than comic book

Patrolling his neighbourhood as a masked ninja to “strike fear” into local villains, it was he who ended up on the wrong side of the law. The self-styled “eyes and ears” of the right-thinking people was arrested for possession of a wooden sword.

The mild-mannered comic book fan, told a court he turned to crime-fighting after being mugged by a local gang and bullied at school.

Frustrated that his assailants had got away, he made himself a black martial arts costume complete with body armour and balaclava.

In an imitation of the film Kick-Ass, he then armed himself with smoke bombs and a home-made wooden Samurai sword.

The 21-year-old, who by day was a barman at a snooker hall, then crouched in the darkness in a nearby park ready to pounce on any troublemakers

Locals said his heroic deeds included taking alcohol off under-age drinkers and literally “smoking out” any loitering gangs.

James Higgins, 17, who went to school with Baker, said he had seen him on the roof of Ringland library.

“The figure leapt from the building and landed on the sports field at the back,” he said.

“He was running across it and doing roly-polys. He’s been watching too many films.”

But Baker’s crime fighting days were cut short in September when he was spotted by a police officer .

Believing he was carrying a real Samurai sword, the officer called for backup and the police helicopter was scrambled and dog handler was called.

Baker, of Ringland, Newport, south Wales, fled into nearby Beechwood park and hid in bushes near the children’s play area.

He was arrested and led officers further into the park where he had hidden two rucksacks, one containing clothes and the other holding seven smoke grenades

He told police in interview he was a "vigilante in a costume" and that he wanted to help people in trouble.

He said he believed he was the "eyes and ears" of the police on the streets and wanted to strike fear into criminals.

The probation officer who assessed him said Baker was a fan of American comic book superheroes.

His probation report said: "He seems to get confused between fantasy and reality and sometimes had trouble distinguishing between what was in comic books and what was real life."

The court heard that in real life Baker is no superhero but works as a barman in a snooker club in Newport, South Wales.

Louise Warren, defending, said: "Baker was bullied for many years and struggled growing up in his neighbourhood.

"He was attacked by a gang of youths while out with his sister a year ago, but police were unable to find the offenders.

"Since then Baker has wanted to help the police to protect society."

The court heard Baker was asked what he would do if he encountered a real crime and said he had not thought that far ahead

Chairman of the magistrates Paul Lavin, said: "You may have thought you were helping but you caused a lot of trouble.

"Do not do this in future or else you'll be in big trouble."

He was given a 12-month supervision order and ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid work. He declined to comment after the case.

However residents said that he had two sidekicks nicknamed the Alway Assassin and the St Julians Saboteur after nearby areas of the city

[Z]

Oh dear!

[smeagol]

about right. if there was a batman or superhero for real the cops would arrest him

[Marc]

that place needs a bit of tough love

[Liberty4eva]

Need video footage of vigilante in action. Want to see video footage of vigilante in action. Need video footage of vigilante in action.