A CHELMSFORD man, who attacked his disabled friend with a Samurai sword and an iron bar and then asked him for a cuddle, has been branded a danger to the public.

Zeth Davis was given an indeterminate sentence and will have to serve a minimum of five years behind bars before he is even considered for release.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Rodger Hayward Smith said: “I have no doubt whatever there’s a very significant risk of you causing further serious harm to members of the public from further violent offences.”

Davis’s record of violence includes a six-year prison sentence in 1998 for an indecent assault on a male.

Davis, 39, of Rookes Crescent, repeatedly slashed at Tony Wilde, 43, with the sword at his friend’s flat in Widford Park Place, where he was staying on March 22 this year. He missed, but then picked up a 4ft long iron bar and broke Mr Wilde’s wrist and finger as he put up his arms to protect himself, the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court heard at his trial in August for grievous bodily harm.

Davis had also denied damaging a wall and leather sofa at the flat as he slashed with the sword, but was convicted of both offences.

Mr Wilde broke down in tears in the witness box and said he had pleaded with him to stop the attack, sparked when he asked Davis’s friends to leave and then refused to allow Davis’s girlfriend to come round.

When the assault ended, Davis said sorry, cried and said: “Give me a cuddle.”

Judge Hayward Smith imposed an indeterminate sentence for public protection of five years, less the 212 days Davis has already served on remand. “You will only be released when it’s safe for you to be at liberty,” he told Davis.