TOM MCKENZIE

Man Jailed After Biting Off Part of Girlfriend’s Ear in Violent Outburst A man who bit off a third of his girlfriend’s ear during a heated argument at their home has been sentenced to prison.

Tom McKenzie, 27, from Baring Street, South Shields, attacked the woman during a confrontation sparked by accusations that he had been “looking at other women”.

The victim fled the house to seek help after the assault, which left her with permanent injuries.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that police later discovered the severed piece of ear inside the property, but doctors were unable to reattach it.

The remaining portion of her ear now has a jagged edge as a result of the injury.

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad explained that the pair had been drinking and socialising before returning home, where tensions escalated.

Around 1am, neighbours alerted the police due to noise coming from the property.

Officers attended but left when the situation appeared to have calmed.

However, by 2.45am, the woman had gone to a nearby acquaintance’s house for assistance.

Mr Ahmad said: “He was woken by the complainant knocking at his door.

She was visibly distressed, with injuries to her face and ear.

She explained they had been drinking and that he had bitten part of her ear off during an assault.” In addition to the ear injury, the woman also suffered facial bruising, tenderness, and neck pain.

The court heard the victim told police she had confronted McKenzie over his behaviour and had pinned him down during the argument when he retaliated violently.

McKenzie admitted causing grievous bodily harm but claimed he acted in excessive self-defence.

As the victim later withdrew support for the prosecution, his account was not contested.

Judge Edward Bindloss handed McKenzie a prison sentence of 29 months.

Addressing him in court, the judge said: “She recalls being on the sofa bed, getting on top of you, and you responded by biting her ear.

That act caused significant pain and lasting damage.

A third of her ear is now gone and that disfigurement will remain for life.

“There were far less extreme ways to handle the situation.

The provocation was limited.” The court was told McKenzie has a history of offending and also suffers from health issues, including arthritis linked to a previous back injury sustained in a rock climbing fall.

Defending, Jennifer Coxon said McKenzie regretted his actions and was relieved to hear the victim is now in a new relationship.

She added that he is keen to find employment upon his release.