A MAN who sought a new life in York bit a store security guard so hard he drew blood through a jacket sleeve, York Crown Court heard.

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said the employee suffered “immense pain” when George James Langton hung on to his arm with his teeth for 20 seconds outside Marks & Spencer in Newgate Market.

He had started his criminal career when he was 12 and has racked up 66 convictions, mostly in the Isle of Man before he moved to York.

Today, he is starting two- and-a-half years in jail. The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, said: “I am afraid you have continued to live a life of crime. Un- happily you are a prolific thief.”

Langton, 20, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and causing actual bodily harm.

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said Langton loaded a basket with meat in Marks & Spencer’s Parliament Street store and walked out its Newgate Market entrance without paying. But he was followed by a security guard who grabbed him round the waist.

Langton bit into the guard’s arm, which was covered by a jacket sleeve, and held on for about 20 seconds, causing “immense pain”, drawing blood and leaving two puncture marks.

Other store staff and police arrived and Langton was arrested. At the time he was on police bail and a community order imposed two months earlier by York magistrates.

Against prosecution wishes, the city’s magistrates again released him on bail. Eight days later, he burgled a friend’s house when his acquaintance had popped out to the shops.

The victim spotted him leaving and got him to hand back the mobile phone he had stolen but Langton got away with £80 in cash.

For Langton, Nicholas Barker said he had had a difficult upbringing that had included institutional care, drug taking and drinking alcohol. Since his remand in custody after the burglary he had managed to reduce his methadone prescription.

He had not realised who the security guard was when he was grabbed.