AN ‘extremely aggressive’ man from Elstead has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of spraying ammonia in his neighbour’s face during a row over wi-fi.

Douglas Ryalls, 47, of Hazelwood, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on October 26 for a vicious attack on June 18 which resulted in his next-door-neighbour, Oliver Talbot, having chemicals thrown in his face.

Ryalls had already confronted his neighbour on several occasions throughout the evening of the offence, when just after midnight his behaviour escalated and he started shouting violent threats toward Mr Talbot, as well as his partner, Marianne Ferrucci, and her nine-month-old son Noah.

Ryalls fought with Mr Talbot before he walked away and picked up a bottle and threw the contents in his victim’s face, causing Mr Talbot severe pain and breathing difficulties.

The substance was later discovered to be ammonia, which is commonly used in the production of liquid fertiliser for gardens but is highly corrosive and can cause blindness, lung damage or death if exposed to high concentrations.

Detective Constable Caroline Katryniak, who investigated the incident, said: “Douglas Ryalls is an extremely aggressive man who caused severe pain to his victim. Ryalls’ behaviour was completely out of order, and we do not tolerate this type of behaviour.

“He was charged under Section 29 for use of a corrosive substance with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which is the same piece of legislation used for acid attacks.

“It is unusual for these types of offences to take place in Surrey, but when they do happen we take positive actions to ensure the offenders are brought to justice.

“Thankfully the victim took the correct steps when the substance was thrown in his face, and we strongly advise anyone who comes into contact with acidic or chemical substances to follow advice from the NHS to call 999, try to carefully remove any contaminated clothing, and rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible.”

Ryalls denied the offence but was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison following a five-day trial, for throwing corrosive fluid with indent to cause grievous bodily harm, and criminal damage. He was found not guilty of threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon.

Other magistrates’ courts results:

* Aaron Stewart Ireland, 26, of Waterloo Close, Camberley, was fined £300, told to pay £30 compensation, £85 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to driving a Seat car in Monkton Lane, Farnham, while more than double the drink-drive limit on August 18.

* Shaun Anthony McMahon, 50, of Farnborough Road, Farnham, was given a community order requiring him to complete a rehabilitation activity, a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim, told to pay £85 compensation and £30 costs, and deducted £115 in benefits after pleading guilty to an assault in Woking on May 30.

* In a separate hearing, McMahon was also fined a total of £240 and told to pay £30 compensation and £100 costs after pleading guilty to breaching a previous restraining order in Woking on May 25, and being found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to cause a woman harassment, alarm or distress in Woking on February 22 this year.

* Aneurin John Osborne, 24, of Farnham Road, Elstead, was fined £100, ordered to pay £30 compensation and £85 costs, and his driving record endorsed with three points after pleading guilty to driving a Fendt motor vehicle in Hereford without due care and attention on September 7, 2017.

* Carl Willock, 38, of Faulkner Road, Farnham, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £50 costs after admitting failing “without reasonable excuse” to comply with the requirements of a community order between June 6 and August 23.

* Tom Norfolk, 42, of Hadrians, Farnham, was fined £50, ordered to pay £130.26 compensation and £50 costs after pleading guilty to making off without paying for petrol at filling stations in Farnham on April 23 and in Dorking on April 10.

* John Derek Cullen, 70, of Ewshot Gardens, Ewshot, was fined £320, ordered to pay £32 compensation and £85 costs, and his driving record was endorsed with five points after pleading guilty to driving a car at more than 70mph on the M3 at Camberley on January 10.

* Adam Allan Taylor, 27, of Lea Court, Farnham, was fined £316, ordered to pay £31 compensation and £85 costs, and had his driving record endorsed with six points after pleading guilty to driving a car at more than 60mph on the A31 Hogs Back at Puttenham on February 4.

* Police in Waverley have been awarded a partial property closure for a house on Willbury Road opposite Farnham Hospital, pursuant to section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The partial property closure was granted by Guildford Magistrates’ Court on October 24, according to the borough policing team, “due to drug-related anti-social behaviour and links to county lines”. The partial closure is in place for three months and prohibits access to any person other than the tenant, or emergency and support services.