Jail for man who bit off finger of hospital security guard

29-year-old Florin-Mihai Badea of no fixed address was sentenced on Monday at Inner London Crown Court to seven years' imprisonment after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and racially religiously aggravated common assault at the court earlier that day.

The court heard how on Sunday 19 April Badea was seen loitering and charging his mobile phone in St Thomas' Hospital.

Two security officers approached Badea and asked if he was a patient, staff member or if he was visiting anyone. Badea replied that he was not. The officers then asked Badea to leave.

Badea began shouting, swearing and racially abusing the guards who then attempted to escort him out of the hospital.

As Badea started to spit, one of the security officers put his hands over Badea's mouth to stop him from spitting but Badea proceeded to bite the guard's finger for approximately three minutes.

On releasing his bite, Badea spat out the tip of the guard's finger.

Badea was arrested at the scene.

Hospital staff recovered the missing part of the finger but were unable to re-attach it.

Badea was charged with grievously bodily harm with intent and racially religiously aggravated common assault.

Once Badea has served his sentence he will be deported to his native Romania.

"The long sentence handed to Badea reflects the serious impact of his crime upon his victims," said Detective Constable Alex Fisher from Lambeth CID.

"One of the victims has been permanently disfigured following the attack and will be reminded of this incident for the rest of his life.

"Everyone has the right to work in safety without fear of racial and physical assault."