A ‘DANGEROUS thug’ with 60 previous convictions has been jailed indefinitely after an unprovoked and vicious attack in a pub.

Lee Snape, 36, glassed Barry Smith in the Moorings, Bolton Road, Blackburn, leaving the victim with a cut from his left eye to month.

Mr Smith had to have 30 stitches to his face.

While he recovered in hospital, Snape, formerly of North Road, Blackburn, tried to ‘persuade or intimidate’ Mr Smith into silence, the prosecution told Burnley Crown Court.

Tim Brennand, prosecuting, had told the court: “The crown suggests that the conduct of the defendant Snape is entirely consistent and in keeping with the fact he is a bully.

“It is quite plain that he considers himself to be above the law. He can use extreme violence at a whim and is arrogant and confident enough to threaten people who have the temerity to complain about his violence to police.”

Snape - arrested after a high speed police pursuit - had earlier been convicted of wounding Mr Smith with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, after a trial.

He had been cleared of a second alleged assault on Mr Smith as the victim had returned from work to his home in Blackburn weeks later.

The defendant, formerly of North Road, Blackburn, had previously admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He was sentenced by Recorder John Corless yesterday.

Snape has almost 60 previous convictions - including a number of offences for violence. The court was earlier told Snape was shot in August 2006 after police warned him three times the criminal underworld had made threats on his life.

Recorder Corless told Snape he had a bad record, posed a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public.

He jailed him indefinitely until he is no longer a risk to the public and said he should not be assessed for parole until he has served three-and-a-half years.

Tim Brennand, prosecuting, had told the court Mr Smith went to the Moorings to meet family and friends.

Snape turned up and both men drank in the pub.

Mr Smith then went to the Manxman pub with the defendant before returning to the Moorings with him. As the victim walked up the steps he shouted to a friend and Snape thought he was shouting at him.

Mr Brennand said the defendant then took a glass and swung it directly into the victim’s face. Mr Smith was covered in blood and taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Snape was arrested later after a high speed police chase in Blackburn last December, when James Hacking, 28, was at the wheel.

Hacking whose home Snape was then staying at, lost control, his car was launched into the air and he crashed near junction five of the M65.

At Hacking’s home, in North Road, police discovered 220 grams of amphetamine, packaging materials, £1,000 in cash, a knuckle duster and knives.

Hacking, who has convictions for drugs and wounding with intent, had earlier admitted dangerous driving and possessing amphetamine with intent to supply. The defendant, who was in breach of licence from an earlier prison term, was yesterday jailed for 14 months.

Keith Harrison, defending Snape, told the court Snape’s previous convictions were acrrued whilst he had a heroin habit, but he was no longer addicted.

Mr Harrison went on: “The court maybe sceptical. There are those who go into custody and learn criminal techniques. This man has been in custody doing fruitful things.”