VIOLENT Mark Elliott was caught on CCTV cameras with his home-made gun seconds before shooting an innocent father-of-four -- an act which finally ended his reign of terror in Blackburn.

Today, Elliott, 41, of Stonehill Drive, Blackburn, was beginning a life sentence with a recommendation of 18 years after a jury unanimously convicted him of the attempted murder of John Hoban, 40, of Fosse Close, Blackamoor. Moments after their verdict was announced, Heather Lloyd, prosecuting, left the jurors looking stunned as she revealed Elliott's history of violence.

In the past 15 years, he has been sentenced to more than 22 years in jail for offences including manslaughter, several assaults and possessing £50,000 worth of heroin.

Police believe the true tally of his violence is far higher, but that other victims have been intimidated out of making complaints.

Mr Hoban was today praised by police for his "resolve and strength of character" in ignoring pressure from Elliott's associates and giving evidence.

Mr Justice Astill told Elliott, who appeared to be yawning and smirking, that the law required he must pass a life sentence and said that he would be eligible for parole after serving nine years.

He added: "It is because of the seriousness of this offence and your previous offences.

"This was a brutal attack demonstrating quite clearly that you are a dangerous man."

Elliott, who knew Mr Hoban only in passing, has never explained why he carried out the shooting.

CCTV caught Elliott moments before he approached Mr Hoban outside Bar Life in Northgate, Blackburn, on July 16 last year.

He brandished the gun and asked for a word with Mr Hoban.

Elliott led him down a nearby alley, turned around and shot him from 25 feet. More than 90 pellets from the shotgun cartridge hit Mr Hoban's chest, heart, lungs, face and arms.

Mr Hoban staggered to the edge of the alley, before slumping into a sitting position against a wall.

Elliott fled and discarded the gun and three live cartridges in the grounds of nearby St Anne's School in Feilden Street.

Mr Hoban spent two weeks in hospital, but did not need surgery, despite having a collapsed lung.

He has not yet been able to return to work and lives in fear that the pellets lodged in the muscle of his heart may move and rupture an artery.

Elliott was arrested the morning after the shooting, but answered no comment to every question posed by police during three interviews.

He also offered no alibi and no defence during the two-day trial.

His violent streak is said to have surfaced following the death of his 20-month-old baby son in 1987. The child suffered a broken neck after being left with a babysitter.