A drinker bit man's earlobe off in "self-defence" during a pub fight which he triggered after buying drinks for his victim's wife and walking off with his cigarette.
Michael Williams, 38, of Brookfield Avenue, Runcorn, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday for sentencing due to the violent outbreak which took place at The Halfway House in Runcorn on Friday, September 24 last year. Anna Price, prosecuting, told the court how William had been drinking in the pub when he offered to buy drinks for another customer, Clare Hartley, at around 9pm after her husband Phillip momentarily left to go to the loo.
Williams had decided to bring over four shots - two for himself and two for Mrs Hartley - which the pair drank. After consuming the drink, Williams left Mrs Hartley alone, however, he returned shortly after to boast at Mr Hartley, telling him to "cheer up and get a haircut."
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Mr Hartley was under the impression that Williams was attempting to "chat up his wife". Shortly after the exchange, Williams "helped himself to some of his cigarettes and walked away".
Mr Hartley proceeded to follow Williams to the bar, followed by his wife and one of his friends. The irritated husband "punched" Williams, forcing his friend and a bartender to separate them, Liverpool Echo reports.
In response to the hit, Williams picked up a chair and attempted to hit Mr Hartley. The husband responded by grabbing him, causing them both to end "up on the floor".
Ms Price said: “While wrestling on the ground, the defendant bit his earlobe, causing it to tear off.” Williams left the pub and waited outside.
A few minutes later, Mr Hartley appeared outside and threw another punch at William while also dragging him against a wall. Mrs Hartley attempted to "get involved" but was swiftly pulled away while Mr Hartley was dragged off by the defendant.
Despite this, Mrs Hartley ended the fight after she "stamped on his groin area". Police attended the scene and obtained CCTV which captured footage of the brawl both inside and outside the pub.
Williams was caught trying to drive to work the next day where it was discovered he was still over the legal alcohol limit, leading to a conviction for excess alcohol. While medics were unable to re-attach Mr Hartley's earlobe, they performed was Judge Simon Berkson described as an "impressive reconstruction".
Williams himself suffered "minor injuries" during the brawl which included bruises, scratches and swelling. He told Cheshire Police that he couldn't recall the incident but was told he had taken someone's cigarettes, had "consumed a significant amount of alcohol" and had been "attacked".
The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of Section 20 wounding on May 9 on the basis he acted in "excessive self-defence" and "apologises" for his actions. Judge Berkson told Callum Ross, defending, that he had read pre-sentence and GP reports and was shocked by how William seemed to be "suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder" because of the fight.
However, he added that Williams was "the one who took the cigarettes and caused the problems that led to violence being used against him and him using violence against Mr Hartley". Consequently, Mr Ross pleaded "strong personal mitigation" for his client's guilty plea, pointing to his "genuine remorse", "good character for 20 years" and "largely positive pre-sentence report".
He added the basis of the plea was excessive self-defence due to the fact Williams was "punched first". Mr Ross noted that Williams was a self-employed joiner "contributing positively and productively to society" with a "length and positive working history" with one of his colleagues being present in the public gallery to support him.
Judge Berkson sentenced Williams to nine months in prison, suspended for 19 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work, and orders to pay £5000 in compensation to Mr Hartley plus "250 in protection costs, and surcharge. Judge Berkson told Williams: “You were so drunk in The Halfway House in Runcorn that the following day on the way to work in the morning you were significantly over the legal limit for driving a car.
“In that state in that pub the night before you decided to act in a way that was highly provocative to Phillip and Clare Hartley. Why you did that you can’t tell us as you have no real memory of events.
"It led to Mr and Mrs Hartley being upset about what you had done and they tried to talk to you and then you were attacked by Mr Hartley. Your response to that involved biting his ear so hard that you bit off a large part of the earlobe.”
Judge Berkson also referred to William's character references, noting: "it's quite obvious this was out of character." No one else was prosecuted over the incident.
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