A Romanian who caused first degree burns to a fellow countryman when he attacked him with pepper spray in Watford was jailed for six months today.
Constantin Ionita, 36, pulled up alongside the victim, who was cycling in Market Street, and said: “What are you up to sucker?”
Prosecutor Kevin West told St Albans Crown Court the victim felt stinging to his face and when he told Ionita to stop, he felt the spray go into his mouth.
Ionita drove off in a red Toyota, leaving the victim in the street. He was treated by the fire brigade who doused him with gallons of water.
In hospital he was treated for first degree burns to the face and chest. He has now returned to Romania, said Mr West.
Ionita, an Amazon worker, of Fearnley Street, Watford, pleaded guilty to administering poison or a noxious substance and possessing an offensive weapon at around 6pm on August 13, last year. He had previous convictions in Romania for robbery and thefts in Germany and Italy.
Defending Matei Clej (correct) said there had been bad blood between the two men who had lived in the same house. He said the victim had pushed Ionita’s wife two or three days earlier. He said he expressed remorse for what he had done.
Jailing him, Judge Nigel Lithman QC said the courts would not tolerate the use of noxious sprays.
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