Reportedly attacked a criminal (5)

I believe the answer is:

felon

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'criminal' is the definition.
(I know that criminal can be written as felon)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for felon that I've seen before include "Law-breaker" , "Mighty" , "Wrong-doer" , "criminal from Texas" , "Person who has committed a serious crime" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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