Sarah Sands, who admits she was incensed following an exchange with pensioner Mike Pleasted, attacked him in his third-floor flat.
Mr. Pleasted, who has 24 convictions for child sex offences, was awaiting trial for the alleged abuse of two boys at the time of his death.
Enraged that Mr Pleasted was allowed to remain on the London estate while awaiting his court appearance, Ms. Sands, in an alcohol-fuelled rage, attacked the man in his Canning Town home.
Arming herself with a knife, Ms. Sands told a neighbour to deny she had been in the vicinity of the man's flat, but later confessed to the crime and handed herself into police.
Commenting on her actions and questioning the justice system, Ms. Sands said: "Is he dead? He can’t hurt kids now. Who houses a paedophile on an estate, like, seriously?”
Dismissing the notion that Mr. Pleasted's previous convictions justified Ms. Sands' attack, prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said: "It is not a defence to a charge of murder to say something along the following lines: 'The victim got what he deserved because he was a paedophile.'"
Defending herself during trial, Ms. Sands accused the deceased of smirking at her and said: "It was not how it was meant to go. He was meant to listen to me."
While cleared of murder, the young mum was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars, with Judge Nicholas Cook QC ruling: “You were a parent placed under enormous pressure who lost control."
It is understood that Ms. Sands could be released next year, while an inquiry is currently underway into the decision to allow bail to Mr. Pleasted considering his numerous previous convictions.
