WARRINGTON MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL DOMESTIC BITING ATTACK
A man has been jailed for a sudden snap attack in which he bit his partner in the chin and maintained his grip for several minutes.The incident occurred at a house in Shildon, in the early hours of December 12, last year.
Durham Crown Court was told that Andrew Hardbottle and his partner had been putting up their Christmas decorations the previous evening and had consumed alcohol before going to bed.
The victim's screams alerted a neighbour to the attack.
Prosecution lawyer Christopher Bevan explained that Hardbottle went to sleep but then began to mutter.
When his partner asked what he was saying, he got out of bed and approached her.
On his way to her, he tripped over, and when she attempted to help him, he pulled her by the hair to the floor.
He then bit her chin so hard that it bled, requiring stitches.
The attack lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which the victim was screaming in agony.
A neighbour heard her shouts of 'no, no.' At hospital, she was found to have significant bruising to her arm and minor bruising to her back.
Hardbottle made no comment during police interviews.
The victim described her pain as 'constant, sharp and severe,' and expressed her disbelief and discomfort with the attack.
Hardbottle, 43, who now lives in Warrington, Cheshire, admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm at a magistrates’ court last month.
The case was sent for sentencing at the crown court.
He has a history of nine convictions for 19 offences, including cases of causing grievous bodily harm, with previous prison sentences.
The court was told his actions were largely alcohol-fueled and driven by personal rage, and that he now lives away from County Durham, working as a machine operator and re-engaging with family.
The judge, Jo Kidd, emphasized the seriousness of the attack and sentenced Hardbottle to two years in prison, as well as a five-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim.
