A dad shot in the face fears mindless thugs almost blinded him.
The victim said he was riding a bike when a pellet from an air gun narrowly missed his eye.
Northumbria Police are investigating, while the shaken victim told ChronicleLive: "The mindless act could have ruined my life and my young family's.
"It was literally millimetres away from blinding me."
The scary incident occurred near Shieldfield flats, in Shield Street, at 5.30am last Thursday, July 18.
"It was reported that a 36-year-old man had been cycling on the road when he heard a bang," said a Northumbria Police spokesperson.
"He turned his head and was hit in the face by a pellet from an air gun.
"The pellet missed his eye and the victim suffered minor facial injuries.
"Enquiries are ongoing to identify the person responsible and anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log 387 18/07/19.”
However the victim, who asked not to be named, said not only could it have cost him his vision but also impacted on his ability to do his volunteering work in the community.
"It all could have been jeopardized due to a horrible act," he added.
