Story By: Sergiu Nazaru, Sub Editor:  Michael Leidig,  Agency: Central European News

This is the moment a group of residents appear to beat a suspected paedophile for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl near a playground.

The incident took place in the town of Chistopol in the Russian republic of Tatarstan on 28th June when the suspect reportedly knocked a young girl to the ground near a playground and sexually abused her.

According to local media, an elderly resident witnessed the attack and screamed for help.

As a result, several residents came out of their homes and managed to stop the suspect and free the young victim.

The have-a-go residents then waited with the suspect until the police arrived.

Local media said the 42-year-old man is registered at a local psychiatric facility.

An unnamed witness told local media: “I was in the garden with my granddaughter when I saw a man running after a girl from our house.

The woman added: “He got on top of her and seemed to be choking her. The girl pleaded for help, saying she couldn’t breathe.

“I shouted for him to leave her alone, but in response, he hit the girl across the face.

“I began to call for help and the girl’s mother and some other neighbours rushed out. Together, they dragged the man off the girl and called the police.

“Before the cops could arrive, they kept him detained. He tried to run away a few times.”

The video shows one woman kicking the suspect as he lies on the ground with five residents standing over him.

The investigation is ongoing.