Convicted killer back behind bars for Uddingston acid attack

A convicted killer who carried out an acid attack on a man in a supermarket has been jailed for four years and five months.

Thomas Charnley, 44, hurled liquid from a jar at 38-year-old Daniel Duffy in a supermarket in Viewpark, North Lanarkshire in April this year.

His victim, who Charnley claimed had threatened him and his partner, suffered blisters to his skin as the toxic liquid began to burn.

Charnley fled after the attack which was captured on CCTV.

At the High Court in Glasgow Charnley admitted assaulting Mr Duffy to his severe injury.

Jailing him, judge Lord Burns told Charnley: "This was a bad attack on a man in a public place with acid. It is fortunate he was not more seriously injured.

“I consider you pose a serious risk of harm to the public.”

Lord Burns ordered Charnley to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from prison.”

Charnley waved to family and friends as he was led away to the cells.

Prosecutors believe the substance used in the horrific attack was sulphuric acid or a similar liquid.

The court heard he threw the acid over Mr Duffy as they both shopped in the Scotmid Store in Viewpark.

Charnley who was clutching a dark-coloured jar , threw its contents at Mr Duffy as they met in an aisle.

Mr Duffy initially managed to grapple with Charnley as shocked workers looked on.

But, staff had to come to his aid when the effect of the acid took hold.

Blisters appeared on his head and neck and he went into shock.

He headed home and when police larrived he was standing over a bath getting water poured on him.

The acid also burned holes into his trousers.

He received hospital treatment, but did not suffer permanent scarring.

Ronnie Renucci QC, defending, said Charnley had sold a dog to Mr Duffy two years ago.

They then had not been in contact until a couple of weeks before the attack.

Mr Renucci told the court there was an issue between the men including apparent threats being made to Charnley and his partner.

Mr Renucci added: “He cannot recall putting the jar in his pocket. He left the house and was going to buy beer.

“This is not a case where he left looking for trouble.”

Charnley claimed that Mr Duffy had approached him in an aggressive manner, but Lord Burns said “This was not what the CCTV images showed.”

Charnley was jailed for murder in 1997 after he beat a man to death in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

He was initially freed from his life sentence in 2009. But was recalled to prison after getting into trouble and was released for a second time in 2015.