Man’s skin blistered in horror acid attack

Convicted killer doused victim in burning liquid when they met in supermarket

A convicted killer carried out an acid attack on a man he once sold a dog to.

Thomas Charnley hurled liquid from a jar at Daniel Duffy (38) in a supermarket in Viewpark.

The victim needed a large amount of cold water poured over him as his skin began to burn and blister.

Charnley fled after the April 2018 attack, which was captured on CCTV.

But, the 44-year-old was later held and is now back behind bars after he pled guilty to assaulting Mr Duffy to his severe injury. Prosecutors believe the substance used was sulphuric acid or similar liquid.

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

He will learn his fate for this latest crime when he returns to the dock next month.

The attack occurred as both Charnley and Mr Duffy were in the Scotmid Store in Viewpark separately.

Charnley was clutching a dark-coloured jar and threw its contents at the victim 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. The High Court in Glasgow heard he soon had blisters on his head and neck before he went “into shock”.

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

The acid had also burned holes into his trousers.

He received hospital treatment, but luckily has not suffered permanent scarring.

Ronnie Renucci, 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.

The QC 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.”

However, Lord Burns said Charnley’s claims were “frankly somewhat implausible”.

Charnley had initially been freed from his life sentence in 2009.

He ended up in bother again before being released for a second time in 2015.

The judge deferred sentencing for reports.