A man has avoided jail after drunkenly biting off another man’s ear after claiming he was looking at his genitals in a nightclub toilet.
Martin Gallagher assaulted the 20-year-old victim in the toilets of Digital nightclub in Newcastle, England.
The 28-year-old had been drinking the bar with friends in May 2017 before the argument ensued. Gallagher accused him of looking at his genitals while he was urinating at a urinal, before following him into the club.
He then attacked the victim, who tried to explain that he wasn’t looking at his genitals.
Photo: Northumbria Police
They were separated and pulled apart, but Gallagher managed to sink his teeth into the victim and tear off a piece of his ear. The victim was taken to hospital while the attacker was arrested by police.
The victim thanked the police
Despite the horrific wounds, he was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence from Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday 6 September. He pleaded guilt to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Gallagher also has a three month curfew, as well as 200 hours of unpaid work to fulfill. He also needs to pay a £140 ($182.57) victim surcharge and £5000 ($6520.31) in compensation to the victim.
The victim thanked police for helping throughout the case.
Photo: Northumbria Police
He said: ‘The last year and a half have been some of the most testing and strenuous times in my life. At times I have been left demobilized by the sheer stress of it all.
‘I never could comprehend how one vicious incident could lead to so much pain for so many people until now.’
He also thanks DC Lisa Common of Northumbria Police, adding: ‘She has my gratitude for being a strength when I was at my weakest.
‘Her hours of work are thoroughly appreciated and I hope she continues to be a pivotal keystone in the community.’
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