Thug yelled ‘I have AIDS’ as he jabbed syringe at landlord

Tenant pursued woman with needle and blade

A syringe-wielding thug who threatened to infect his landlord with HIV after she discovered his blood-splattered room has been jailed. Drug-user Stephen Buggs, of Canterbury, pursued Elizabeth Ferreira with “at least one” hypodermic needle and a blade. The 38-year-old, who has previously served 11 years and six months for wounding with intent, sunk his teeth into a police officer’s leg following his arrest.

He was jailed for two years and two months at Canterbury Crown Court last Tuesday after being recalled to prison for other violent offences.

The bully erupted into threats moments after Ms Ferreira discovered his walls and carpet stained with blood last Christmas Eve.

When she knocked on his door following a disturbance, Buggs became aggressive.

“She noticed he was kicking things around, she noticed there was a syringe and blood in various places, on the walls and on the carpet,” Tristan Chaize, prosecuting said.

After producing a knife and syringes, Buggs charged outside and began vandalising her car. When she challenged his actions, Buggs “grabbed her jumper and pulled her around,” Mr Chaize continued.

“He produced the knife again and at least one syringe and threatened her. She rang the police, he pulled the knife and syringe out again, she says, and made jabbing motions.

“He chased her and said ‘come on then, I have AIDS and hepatitis’,” the prosecutor said. “Thoroughly intoxicated” Buggs spat inside the police vehicle following his arrest, the court heard.

And once detained at Canterbury Police Station, Buggs tried biting an officer’s leg, although he did not penetrate the skin. Phil Rowley, mitigating, argued Buggs struggled with life outside prison after suffering “some degree of institutionalisation,” adding: “There is some sign of remorse and regret for his conduct and there is a genuine desire to address issues which have underlined his offending in the past.” Buggs, previously of Westwood Drive, pleaded guilty to threatening another with a blade and assaulting an emergency worker at an early opportunity.

He also admitted criminal damage, common assault and possession of cannabis. Buggs will be made subject to a five-year restraining order relating to his former landlord and a tenant within the property.