STAMFORD, Conn. — Authorities say a Connecticut woman repelled a sexual assault by biting nearly an inch off an assailant’s tongue.

Stamford police said the woman bit the man’s tongue Thursday after he grabbed her and forced his tongue into her mouth just after she left a downtown church.

Gerard Michael Landon was arrested Friday after seeking medical treatment for his bleeding tongue at a Stamford massage and chiropractic clinic. The 46-year-old Virgin Islands native is facing a number of changes, including criminal attempt at first-degree sexual assault.

He is being held on $500,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned Monday in state Superior Court on Stamford.

Stamford Police Sgt. Paul Guzda said police recovered an identifiable piece of the tongue at the scene.

It was unclear if Landon had an attorney.