A DOORMAN who was attacked with pepper spray at a nightclub has told how he thought he was going to die.

The bouncer quit his job after the incident at Haze in Middlesbrough town centre when he went to the aid of his manager.

Sean Hamilton, from Darlington, sneered at his victim: "Ha ha, got you there you little c*** I got your face didn't I? Come on, come on, I'll have you."

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told Teesside Crown Court that the spray went into the door supervisor's mouth, up his nose and into his eyes.

Miss Haigh said: "He was very frightened. He thought it was acid. He was panicking, could not breathe, his tongue felt numb, and he said he thought he was going to die. He said it felt like he had needles in his eyes."

In an impact statement, he said: "I am finished with the doors. I don't want to work any more doing this job. I am scared and worried, and I can't stop thinking about it.

"The thought that keeps running through my mind is it could have been acid. I don't need trouble like this."

Hamilton, of Barron Street, admitted possessing a prohibited weapon and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Despite having 75 offences on his record and a number for violence, he was given a 13-month suspended prison sentence with £250 compensation and 20 days of rehabilitation activity after Judge Simon Hickey heard how he had turned around his life.

The 27-year-old has his first proper job and travels 60 miles a day to work, his barrister Duncan McReddie told the court.

Mr McReddie said: "If he can demonstrate that this is true conversion to a productive law-abiding lifestyle, there would then be good reason for him to avoid immediate custody."

A probation report said Hamilton was a high risk of harm based on his previous convictions, and Judge Hickey told him if he offended again during the 12 months of suspension, he would lock him up.

"It could have been anything sprayed into his face," he added. "There is no excuse for carrying such a weapon in your pocket.

"I will give you the chance, so over to you."