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03
Sept
Harrogate man jailed for biting ear during drunken fight
A Harrogate man has been jailed for nearly three years after he bit a chunk out of a man’s ear during a fight in the town centre.
Joe McKenna, 34, sunk his teeth into the victim’s ear as they were grappling on the ground outside Harrogate Homeless Project's Bower Street shelter, York Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Harry Crowson said the horrifying incident occurred at about 2.30pm on March 7 when police were called to the scene by an eyewitness who reported that two men were fighting outside the homeless centre.
“The fight was described as ongoing and involving Joe McKenna and (the named victim) who were known to the caller,” added Mr Crowson.
Both men were described as “heavily” intoxicated and the witness told police they had both suffered bleeding to the face.
The caller, who was reporting the fight as it was ongoing, then told police that McKenna had bitten the other man’s ear and there “there is a piece missing”.
Police arrived at the scene, but McKenna had already walked off. A police constable spoke to the victim who had his head bandaged, having been treated by paramedics.
Harrogate Homeless Project on Bower Street
McKenna was spotted walking along Ripon Road at 12.10am the following morning. He was still “intoxicated” and when police spoke to him, he initially gave a false name.
“However, when challenged, he confirms his real name,” said Mr Crowson.
He was arrested and taken to Harrogate Police Station where his blood-stained clothing was seized.
McKenna - whose last recorded address was a hotel in The Ginnel, Harrogate - was charged with wounding with intent but denied the offence. He was due to face trial today (Wednesday, September 3) but pleaded guilty at the last minute.
Mr Crowson said CCTV footage showed that McKenna was “the constant aggressor” during the incident and was “chasing after the victim”.
There is a number of exchanges of blows between them, but they ultimately end up on the floor on a number of occasions.
The last occasion (they ended up on the ground), the defendant has to be dragged off the victim by members of the public. The victim can be seen to stand up and clutch his ear.
Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, jailed McKenna for two years and nine months.
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