A MAN who bit off half of another man's ear was jailed for two years.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that prior to the attack Carl Jones had committed a string of driving offences after which he had given a false name to police.

And following the Boxing Day assault, Jones was caught on the premises of Max Spielmann's in Wallasey, and handled almost £800 worth of property totalling £7,500 stolen in a break-in at a Bromborough furniture shop.

Jones, 21, of Mostyn Street, Poulton, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Neil Edwards, disqualified driving, perverting the course of justice, burglary with intent to steal and handling stolen goods.

His co-accused, Paul Fehily, 21, of the Cheshire Cheese public house, Wallasey Village, who was part of the attack on Mr Edwards and admitted affray, was ordered to carry out 120 hours' community service.

Mr Gordon Bellis, prosecuting, told the court Mr Edwards and a group of friends had been out celebrating Christmas.

He and Daniel Giles were walking ahead of the others in Stringhey Road, Wallasey, when a car stopped and one of its occupants was involved in an exchange of words and a struggle with Mr Giles, he said.

Mr Edwards went to see if his friend needed help and Jones left the car and threw a punch which missed. Mr Edwards got Jones in a headlock and they struggled to the ground.

Mr Edwards was kicked about the head and face and was dazed. He relaxed his grip around Jones, who had been threatening to bite him.

Jones then bit off half his right ear leaving a wound needing 20 stitches. The ear is permanently deformed, said Mr Bellis.

On Valentine's Day Jones and another man were seen by staff at Max Spielmann's in Burns Avenue, Wallasey, as they worked close to midnight. Jones claimed he wanted to use a telephone.

In April Discount Pine in Dinsdale Road, Bromborough, had three-quarters of its stock taken, of which seven items worth £788 were found in Jones's home two days later, he said.

Mr Michael Abelson, defending, said that Jones committed the ear biting in a panic, thinking he was going to be strangled.

Mr Donal McGuire, defending, said that Fehily had gone to the assistance of Jones, whose girlfriend was Fehily's girlfriend's sister, and had no part in the ear-biting.

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