A MAN with a record for violent crime is starting his latest long prison sentence after carrying out a “terrifying” attack on a householder.

Russell Frederick Snowdon, 36, was jailed for four years and four months after Durham Crown Court heard that the victim feared he could lose his sight having been sprayed in the face with an unknown alkali-type substance.

Snowdon, on licence from an eight-year prison sentence, walked into the home of second- hand car dealer Daryl Moore carrying what appeared to be a silver handgun.

Mr Moore, who was on the phone to his partner at the time, turned to see Snowdon standing between the kitchen and living room, “apparently mumbling” in what sounded like a foreign language.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said Mr Moore feared for his life, but tried to confront the intruder, pushing his hand at the gun, before a scuffle followed in which he was struck to the head and face.

“Aware he was bleeding, he then felt an intense burning to his eyes, mouth, face and throat, and realised he had been sprayed with something.”

Mr Moore forced Snowdon out of the house, although he was struck several more blows in the process. Snowdon fled the property, in Oval Park, Tudhoe, Spennymoor, and later picked up a taxi on the outskirts of the town.

Mr Moore tried to wash the substance from his face, but his vision was left blurred and he received hospital treatment for damage to the lining of both eyes. He suffered other injuries about his head, face and neck during the incident on May 25.

A bottle top recovered from the house was found to contain Snowdon’s DNA, while both Mr Moore and the taxi driver picked him out from identity parades.

Snowdon, of Valley View, Ushaw Moor, denied involvement when he was arrested on May 27 and charged with aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

But on the first day of his trial, on Monday, he pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

The court heard that Snowdon has served prison sentences of six years for arson, three years for the manslaughter of a 53-year-old man with a single blow outside a social club, and the eight years for being the getaway driver in a post office robbery.

His barrister, Caroline Goodwin, said: “It’s a case where he accepts a prison sentence of some length is inevitable.”

The judge, Recorder Bill Lowe, said: “This incident has had a devastating effect on Mr Moore and he wants to move away from the Spennymoor area, as a result.”