A WIDNES dad who survived being blasted with a sawn-off double barrelled shotgun said he was ‘relieved’ his attacker had been given a life sentence.

Dad-of-two Daniel Kennedy, aged 25, was shot by 19-year-old Ryan Duggan near his home in St Michael’s View, Ditton on October 15 last year.

He only escaped fatal injury because his phone in his tracksuit jacket bore the brunt of the impact.

Speaking outside Chester Crown Court today after Duggan received a life sentence, Mr Kennedy said: “I think he got what he deserved.

“I am relieved it is over.”

He underwent emergency surgery after being wounded and is still receiving hospital treatment.

He said: “I had 12 pellets inside me. They took three out but they can’t take out the rest.”

He has undergone four operations.

His abdominal wall has been reconstructed with a biological mesh.

Surgeons disovered one pellet in his bowel and another within his abdominal cavity.

Many more pellets were found wedged within the tissues of his abdomen and pelvis and can’t be removed.

He has returned to hospital on numerous occasions for intensive treatment because of infections and complications.

He had an extensive operation to a deep abscess in his abdomen after the lead shot caused an infection.

Daniel said: “I’ve still got a hole in my stomach, an open wound.

“I can’t go back to my old job. I can’t do any heavy lifting.

“I will have to retrain to find a new job.”

He is taking a theory test next week to become a HGV driver.

He said he is worried about his children but plans to start a new life in Spain.

He added: “I don’t want my kids to know that someone can do something like this to their dad.

“My parents live in Spain. I’m hoping to start a fresh life and put all this behind me.”