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29
Sept 2023
Harrogate boxer jailed after biting man's ear in bar
A professional boxer from Harrogate has been jailed for more than seven years for wounding a man by biting his ear in a bar.
Guy Kitching, 21, an unbeaten middleweight, was found guilty of wounding with intent this week following a trial at York Crown Court.
The incident occurred during an assault at The Foundry Project in The Ginnel on December 27, 2021.
A doorman who worked at the bar told the court it was a busy night during the Christmas period and that the scene was “quite chaotic”.
He said he intervened following a disturbance and a man told him he had been bitten.
Under cross-examination from prosecutor Helen Towers, Kitching, of Hillbank View, Harrogate, admitted that he and the named victim had come across each other at the top of the stairs inside the bar and that an argument broke out, but denied biting him.
Ms Towers told the jury that the victim ended up with a very serious wound to his ear. There was said to be some “background” to the incident.
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Earlier this year, Kitching notched up his first professional boxing victory in a performance described by his trainer as “perhaps the best debut performance I have ever seen”.
His professional record currently stands at two wins from two contests.
The former Rossett School pupil, who trained at ABC boxing club in Leeds, enjoyed a distinguished amateur career before gaining his professional licence and signing for VIP Promotions.
A part-time roofer by trade, Kitching finished many of his 23 amateur bouts by stoppage, winning several Yorkshire belts and qualifying for national finals.
Judge Simon Hickey jailed Kitching for seven years and six months.
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