An intoxicated man bit a chunk out of a bouncer's hand after he was thrown out of a bar in Cardiff city centre. He was under the influence of cocaine when he attacked the doorman who was left with a severe injuries to the palm of his hand.
David Vanos, 44, attacked Perry Ponsford at the Boom Battle Bar in the Old Brewery Quarter on December 12 last year. He became angry and aggressive after he was refused entry back into the bar due to his behaviour.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Ponsford and the defendant were involved in a discussion. But as Vanos' aggression ramped up the victim placed his hands on his arm in an attempt to calm him down.
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This caused Vanos to "kick off" and he was taken to the ground by Mr Ponsford but during the course of the scuffle the defendant forcefully bit down on the victim's hand. When he looked Mr Ponsford saw there was a chunk of flesh missing.
The defendant was restrained until the police arrived and he was arrested. In his police interview he claimed he was the victim and said he had bitten Mr Ponsford because he "felt under threat". He later described the incident as "one big alcohol-fuelled f***-up" and said he wished to apologise to the bouncer.
Vanos, of Aldsworth Road, Canton, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard he was of previous good character apart from an incident of criminal damage in Bristol. The defendant was unrepresented by a barrister due to ongoing strike action but Judge Niclas Parry indicated he would not be sending him to prison.
The judge said: "This was a decent man serving the public in work and did not deserve to come home injured. Biting someone is considered by the court to be the same as using a weapon. You offended on licensed premises where there were people about while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine."
Vanos was sentenced to a community order for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days.
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