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A judge was slammed yesterday after a brutal beggar who blinded a Good Samaritan who offered to buy him food was jailed for just two years.

Meshach Harrison, 29, stabbed his terrified victim in the eye inside a takeaway after repeatedly demanding cash and rebuffing offers of food.

Surgeons managed to save the 25-year-old's left eye but he lost the sight in it and has been left traumatised by the brutal attack.

Homeless Harrison was locked up at Birmingham Crown Court last month after he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Detectives released CCTV footage of Harrison after the attack, which happened inside Spices restaurant on Soho Road in Birmingham last December.

The beggar asked the victim, who has not been named, for a cigarette and despite being given one he quickly returned and asked for cash.

Harrison then continued to harass him and when the victim offered to buy him some food he stabbed him in the left eye with an unknown object.

Recorder Michael Rhind jailed him for just two years - and he could be back out on the streets in months if he behaves himself in prison.

Local Labour MP Khalid Mahmood condemned the lenient jail term as "appalling" and branded the judge "out of touch".

"I'm very concerned about the length of the sentence," he added. "It should have been far more severe.

"This shows how out of touch the judiciary is with the public. It is shocking the victim was attacked after offering to buy food.

"I would like to invite the judge to walk with me along Soho Road so he can explain this sentence to the traders and residents and discuss the crime issues they have.

"We are working alongside the police to fight crime and improve the area. That is why sentences like this, for very serious offences in the area are particularly disappointing."

Det Con Sharon Duncan, from West Midlands Police, said: "This is a devastating loss to a young man, who just appeared to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Justice Minister Lord Faulks said: "Crime is falling and tough sentences are available to punish criminals, including life sentences for serious violent offences.

"Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the judges, taking into account all the facts of each case and the relevant sentencing guidelines."