A SOUTH London man whose 1998 meeting with MP Ron Davies on Clapham Common led to the former Welsh Secretary's resignation has been jailed for robbing a pensioner at gunpoint.

Donald Fearon, 45, from Dunfield Road, Bellingham pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, threats to kill, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of prohibited ammunition.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a recommendation to serve at least five and half years. Fearon was the man Mr Davies met on Clapham Common during an encounter he called a "moment of madness".

Mr Davies insisted no sexual encounter had taken place and said his car had been stolen during a robbery.

But charges were dropped against Fearon and the meeting lead to a wave of allegations about Mr Davies' private life, which left his career in tatters.

This week Inner London Crown Court was told how Fearon and an unnamed accomplice attacked a 70-year-old man on Sunday November 21 2004.

The ordeal began with Fearon and his accomplice breaking and entering the Brixton home of the elderly man.

The victim was punched, knocked to the floor and held hostage with a firearm. The weapon was pressed with such force against the victim's head that it left a bloody gash.

The torment continued as Fearon and his accomplice made repeated threats saying they were going to kill him.

Fearon intimidated the vulnerable man, saying that they would douse the 70 year old man with petrol and turn him into a human fireball. The house was ransacked.

Fearing for his life the victim feigned illness and escaped into the kitchen.

The victim grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Fearon in the stomach. Both men fled into the street where Fearon collapsed and an ambulance was called.

After being treated Fearon went on the run again, but was caught. Judge Robert Prendergast said, "This case leaves me in no doubt you are indeed a significant risk to the public."

Detective Constable Alex George of Brixton CID said: "This was a particularly violent crime carried out by a ruthless individual on a vulnerable and infirm member of the community.

"The 70-year-old victim was threatened with a loaded firearm and honestly believed that he was about to be murdered.

"The sentence passed today gives justice to the victim and brings to an end the criminal career of Donald Fearon".