Sharon Tut (31) carried out the revenge attack on Paul Knights on 29th July, just two months after his 18-year-old son was jailed for six-and-a half years for causing a 100mph crash which claimed the lives of five people in September last year.

Motorcyclist Joshua Knights was racing a friend's Ford Sierra on Chesterfield Road, Shuttlewood, when it hit a Renault Megane being driven by Tut's sister Pam –– killing her seven-year-old son Joshua Taylor and his brother Leon (4) as well as the Sierra driver and two passengers.

Knights, who performed wheelies as he left the scene of the accident, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Tut, who had previously been warned by magistrates not to take matters into her own hands, was attending to a roadside memorial on 29th July with her sister when they saw Paul Knights loading belongings into a hired van.

Derby Crown Court was told on Friday how Tut returned to her sister's house and took a child's rounders bat before approaching Knights and striking him on the right elbow.

As Mr Knights climbed into the van for protection, she proceeded to hit the driver's door and windscreen –– causing an estimated £2,000 worth of damage.

Said Charlotte Worsley, in mitigation: "This is a tragic case. She is from a very close family and that family was shattered on that day, she and her sister were overcome by grief and she behaved on the spur of the moment."

Tut, who had previously been cautioned for battery, arrived in court with a suitcase full of possessions because she had been living in fear of being sent to prison as a consequence of her actions.

But Judge David Pugsley said he believed the process of appearing in court was enough punishment for her.

"I do not think it is right to impose even a suspended sentence because this behaviour has to stop," he told Tut. "For you, coming to court in itself has been a very real punishment.

"Those who take revenge into their own hands are themselves contributing to the weakening of the fabric of society and no one, whatever they have done, is outside of the law's protection.

"Revenge is a devil's parody of justice, it will only bring you and your family further pain."

Tut, of Holly Bank Close, was given a supervision order for three years and ordered to pay £300 compensation to Mr Knights.