Briton on AIDS drugs after bitten by S.Africa thief

JOHANNESBURG, Sep 19 (Reuters) A British tourist in South Africa was forced to take anti-AIDS drugs after a robber bit his finger to steal his wedding ring.

South Africa's News24 Web site said two British couples celebrating 30 and 35 years of marriage were attacked in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth and robbed of their wedding rings, cellphones and cameras.

One man was bitten as the robber used his teeth to drag the ring off his finger, and is taking anti-retroviral treatment to cap his chances of contracting HIV in one of the world's worst hit countries, the Web site said, citing local police.

South Africa suffers some of the world's highest rates of violent crime and wealthy tourists are often a prime target.

Reuters LL DS1356