A MAN has been jailed for a “revenge attack" which saw a grandfather doused in petrol and set on fire at his home.

Daniel McCardle, from Sunderland, below, has been jailed for the attack which left the 71-year-old, from Ferryhill, with “life changing” injuries.

The Northern Echo:

McCardle, 28, of Coxon Street, Hendon, pleaded guilty to arson and intent to cause grievous bodily harm during a hearing in October.

Sailus Price told emergency services he was in unbearable pain after being set on fire from the waist up, leaving 30 per cent of his body covered in life-threatening burns.

It is understood to be part of a feud between travelling families which saw the skulls of Mr Price’s sons dug up and stolen from their grave in 2015.

Newcastle Crown Court heard McCardle, had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol before the attack and was one of three men who were involved in the incident in Magdalene Place, Ferryhill.

It happened at around 10.30pm on July 29, when the victim was at home with his wife and 16-year-old granddaughter.

Jolyn Perks, prosecuting, told the court that one of the men used a brick to smash the front window of the bungalow before McCardle poured a five-litre drum of petrol into the living room, retreated to a safe distance and threw a lit rag to ignite the fuel.

McCardle, who pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life and causing grievous bodily harm, was identified from CCTV footage, caught by a camera placed at the property by Mr Price.

The couple did not make formal victim impact statements, but the court heard that they do not think they will be able to return to their home of 19 years.

Mr Price, who spent eight days in critical care and was in hospital for a month, told police: “I know I’ve been lucky to survive my injuries. The uncertainty and fear of something happening again keeps playing on my mind.

“I wish we could go back to live in our home, but we would always be looking over our shoulders.”

The court heard his injuries could take several years to heal and he takes up to 30 tablets a day, as well as liquid morphine to try and control the constant pain.

Chris Knox, mitigating, said: “This defendant regrets he got involved in this at all and he very much regret the dreadful harm he caused.

“He has never committed any offences remotely as serious as this is and he understands what a dreadful position he has put these people in and what a dreadful position he has put himself in.”

He added: “He had his role, but this was not his battle.”

Judge Paul Sloan QC, recorder of Newcastle, told McCardle: “It would seem there was some quarrel with the Price family. It would seem that the three of you were intending to firebomb Mr and Mrs Price’s home address. Whoever was the ringleader, you have clearly played a key role.”

Handing him a ten-year prison sentence, he added: “This was extremely serious offending, dreadful crimes, and only a substantial term of prison can be justified.

“It was a revenge attack, using fire to cause serious injuries.”

McCardle has three previous convictions, involving four offences including criminal damage and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Detective Inspector Andy Smith, from Durham Constabulary’s Major Crime Team, said: “This was a vicious and nasty attack which left a man with serious injuries.

“I am pleased with today’s sentence, which reflects the severity of the crime.

“I hope it sends out a clear message that the police and courts will not tolerate this type of criminality, and also provides some comfort to the victim and their family.”

In November 2015, police were called to the cemetery on Bridge Street, Metal Bridge, near Ferryhill, following a report that a grave had been disturbed and headstone damaged.

It was the final resting place of siblings Gareth and Levi Price, who both took their own lives at the age of 16, Levi in 2001 and Gareth in 2005.