Five years for thug who bit off ear

A MAN who bit off part of another man’s ear during a savage attack in a bar at Warrington has been jailed for almost five years.
Jamie Wood, aged 24 (right), was handed the sentence at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to assault at a previous hearing.
The charge related to an incident at the Bridge Bar in Latchford on Saturday October last year.
The court heard the victim – a 27-year-old man – had been in the bar socialising with his brother and friends.
During the course of the night he spoke to a young woman he knew but had not seen for some time.
Following the conversation he went back to his brother and friends in the area around the pool table.
Later he went to the bar to buy a drink and saw the young woman standing near to the toilets.
She appeared upset and was with the defendant who was shouting at her and acting in an aggressive manner towards her.
The victim bought his drink before heading back towards the pool table. At this point his path crossed with the defendant and he decided to say something to him in a bid to calm the situation.
But as he started to speak Wood grabbed hold of him with both arms and struck him above his left eye with his knee.
This took the victim by complete surprise and he tried to protect himself. A struggle lasted about 20 seconds before the defendant was dragged off him by others.
It was at this point that the victim realised that his left ear was bleeding heavily and he was helped into the office by staff who alerted paramedics.
An ambulance was called and he was initially treated at the scene. Paramedics told him a large portion of his ear had been completely bitten off.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital for treatment – and is continuing to have further treatment.
Officers launched an investigation following the incident and Wood was subsequently arrested on Christmas Eve.
DC Rebecca Dixon said: “This was an unprovoked and vicious attack on a man who was simply enjoying a night out with his family and friends. He had tried to diffuse a potentially volatile situation but ended up becoming involved in an altercation, which resulted in him sustaining a serious injury to his ear for which he is still receiving treatment.
“This incident has had a big impact on the victim and I hope that the conclusion of this case at court will allow him to move forward with his life.
“Violent crime is not acceptable and Cheshire Police is committed to tackling this type of crime and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice and punished for their actions.
“It is also hoped that the time behind bars will allow the defendant to reflect upon his actions and the impact that they have had on a young man’s life.”