A SECURITY guard has spoken of his delight after a drug addict who stabbed him with a used needle was jailed for five years.

Nigel Wright, who feared he had been infected with the HIV virus in the attack, said he was "very glad" with the sentence handed out to Samuel Bryan.

"I was only chasing him to keep an eye on him. Five years is good because it may stop others," Mr Wright said.

Shoplifter Bryan turned on Mr Wright when it became clear that he was not going to get away after a chase through the streets of Chippenham.

After repeatedly stabbing Mr Wright with the needle he yelled: "I have got lots of diseases."

Tim Hills, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Friday Mr Wright saw Bryan rooting around in bins in a non-public area at the rear of Littlewoods in the town centre on May 31 this year.

When Mr Wright approached him the 24-year-old swore at the guard and told him "I'll sting you" meaning he would stab him. Bryan ran off and Mr Wright caught him on Avenue La Fleche.

"He then stabbed him in the face about six times shouting 'I'm going to kill you. I'm going to blind you.' Mr Wright managed to deflect some of the blows but received substantial scratching around the eye and temple."

He said that two police officers were driving past and went to the aid of Mr Wright and apprehended Bryan.

When Bryan was questioned by police he denied the incident. He changed a not guilty plea on a charge of wounding to intent to wound on the morning of the trial.

Mr Wright had to undergo medical tests and wait three months for the results, which came back clear.

Simeon Rich, defending said he had only produced the syringe as a last resort to show it to Mr Wright hoping he would leave him alone.

Jailing him for five years, Judge John McNaught told him: "It must be one of the worst dreads anyone could imagine, to be stabbed by a heroin addict's needle.

"You did that deliberately. You made a determined attempt to stab Mr Wright in his face near his eye. It is very fortunate he kept his eye."