A KNIFE attacker who stabbed a man before licking the blade has been jailed for five years.

Ian Wardley, aged 29, stabbed a 33-year-old man outside Bradleys Wine Bar in Petts Wood Road, Petts Wood, in an unprovoked attack at around 11pm on June 11.

Wardley, of Ampleton Close in Chelsfield, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on December 6 after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause GBH.

The court heard Wardley and the 33-year-old had been drinking in the wine bar when the victim stepped outside for a cigarette and to make phone call.

Wardley then walked up to the victim and stabbed him, puncturing his liver and kidney and he was seen licking the knife before driving away in a silver Volkswagen Golf.

Bromley police were called and Wardley was pursued by officers in a car chase, but he was caught and arrested near his mother's address in Orpington.

The victim was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough by a passing motorist and remained in hospital for a week.

Wardley was also jailed for four weeks, to run concurrent with the five year sentence, and disqualified from driving for a year after pleading guilty to drink driving in connection with the incident.

Further charges of common assault on a police officer and dangerous driving were ordered to remain on file by the court.

After the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Inspector Jane Corrigan said: "Wardley was phoning the victim and witnesses from prison in an attempt to stop them giving evidence against him.

“Through the excellent work of Detective Constable Andy Cryan we were able to maintain the confidence of the victim and witnesses in the investigation, which led to the conviction of this violent offender.”