Thug who bit through finger sent to prison

Steven Bennett, 37, assaulted Harry Radcliffe and two women as they walked along Belle Vue Road in Leeds at about 10pm on September 22 last year.

Holding a knife with a seven-inch blade, Bennett headbutted one of the women and pushed the other before Mr Radcliffe pinned him to the ground until help arrived.

While on the floor, Bennett bit Mr Radcliffe’s right middle finger so hard that it went through to the bone and severed a ligament.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Mr Radcliffe’s finger had been left permanently disfigured and, although tests for Hepatitis C had proved inconclusive, he had displayed symptoms of the disease.

While in prison for the attack, Bennett threw boiling water in the face of a fellow inmate after negative comments were made about his personal hygiene.

Bennett, whose address was given in court as Leeds Prison, pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon and common assault.

He also admitted another charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the attack in prison.

The court heard that Bennett suffered from a personality disorder and had a criminal record dating back to 1998, including convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon, robbery and assaulting a police officer.

He was told he must serve at least four years in prison, minus 164 days already spent in custody, before becoming eligible for parole.

Bennett tried to apologise to Mr Radcliffe from the dock as a security officer led him down to a cell.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC commended Mr Radcliffe, 47, of Hyde Park, Leeds, for bravely protecting the women.

“In my judgment nobody could have asked you to do any more,” the judge said. “I am entirely satisfied that what you did was to prevent serious harm and you are to be congratulated.”