A man who threw corrosive liquid at a man in Essex who broke up a fight has been jailed for 10 years.

The 44-year-old victim suffered burns to his face, eyes and tongue and was left with permanent damage to his sight after Thomas Eastwood, of Langlands Drive in Dartford, threw a concentrated alkaline substance into his face last year.

Police said the victim had been driving along London Road in Vange, Essex, when he saw a group of youths fighting outside The Barge pub on March 19. He spoke to them about their behaviour and the fight broke up.

As the youths walked away, Eastwood pulled up in a van, got out and walked over to where the victim was standing.

He was holding what appeared to be a bottle of water and started to act in a threatening manner.

The victim started to explain he had intervened in the fight when Eastwood, 22, squirted the bottle’s contents at his face, causing him to scream out in pain.

Members of the public came to his aid and he was taken to hospital.

Neil Pudney, detective chief inspector with Essex Police, said: “This was a malicious act which has led to an innocent man suffering serious injuries that he’ll have to live with for the rest of his life.

“The victim had acted as a good citizen, stepping in to break up a fight and preventing someone from getting injured.

“Thomas Eastwood responded with a callous act without care or consideration for the impact it would have.

“He will now have a significant time behind bars to contemplate the consequences of his actions and I am pleased a dangerous man is off the streets of Essex.”

Police tracked down the van Eastwood was driving and he handed himself in.

He was charged with GBH with intent, which he denied, but was convicted by a jury at Basildon Crown Court on January 12.

Eastwood, unemployed, was sentenced to 10 years yesterday, February 21.

Detective Inspector Pudney said: “I hope this sentence will show Essex Police will not tolerate violent crime and perpetrators will be caught and dealt with.

“I want to praise the investigating officer Pc Keith Corry, whose hard work, diligence and persistence led to the Eastwood being identified and brought to justice.

“Most importantly I want to praise the victim for his courage through the investigation and hope this sentence brings some solace.”