A crazed junkie who condemned a security guard to

A crazed junkie who condemned a security guard to a ‘living
hell’ by plunging a bloodied hyperdermic needle into him was
jailed for 18 months today (Friday).

The chilling attack led distraught father of three John Ross,
36, to believe he would die from AIDS.

Overnight his happy and secure world collasped around him.

His family were torn apart and he temporarily split up
from his wife.

To compound the suffering, he was forced to quit
his home after it was vandalised by cruel gossipers who branded
him an Aids victim.

Negative AIDS tests finally lifted the ‘death sentence’
hanging precariously over Mr Ross for six months, but he
maintains that the psychological scars are permanent.

Passing sentence on Anthony Warwick, 27, Assistant Recorder
Mr Christopher Elwen said: ‘I am satisfied that this unprovoked
attack was a violent offence, and I am of the opinion
that a custodial sentence is the only way to protect the public
from serious harm from you, especially from the sort of
psychological harm you inflicted on Mr Ross.

‘He suffered serious stress and strain to his marriage
from the fear of having contracted AIDS.

‘
Horrifield jurors at Southwark Crown Court took less than
two hours to convict jobless Warwick of unlawful wounding after hearing
how he stabbed Mr Ross in the leg with a needle as he ‘shooting up’
on August 12 1992.

The trial heard that on the night in question Mr Ross had
been making a routine patrol of an NCP car park near Tottenham
Court Road with his Alsatian.

Checking a stairwell, he spotted a group of addicts
‘shooting up.

‘
As he tried to escort them off the premises, Warwick pulled
out a hyperdermic needle from his arm and plunged it deep into
Mr Ross’s right leg.

In a state of panic, the victim desperately tried to
squeeze blood out of his leg.

The court heard that Mr Ross spent three months having AIDS
counselling and tests which later proved negative.

He was also treated for jaundice and hepatitis.

Warwick, of Cubitt Street, WC1, said he had been a victim
of mistaken identity despite being pointed out in a specially
organised parade.

After the verdict, Mr Ross, of Tressillian Road, Brockley,
who has three children, aged nine, six, and five, said: ‘I have
gone through hell.

‘
He added: ‘I went to AIDS counsellors.

They told me to
use condoms.

I could not have sex with my wife and the council had
to rehouse me.

‘Basically this has torn my family apart.

‘
ENDS