This unsettling incident captured the moment a tree surgeon bit off a pub patron’s ear during a violent altercation.
The shocking event took place at The Kellbank Hotel and Restaurant in Gosforth, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, on July 8, 2023.
Chilling CCTV video shows Paul Connor, a father of two and tree surgeon, as he grappled with Christopher Hewer inside the establishment.
Two women, and a male staff member, attempt to separate the pair, to no avail.
One of the women, Hewer’s partner Antonia Holliday, wearing a long floral skirt and black top, gets involved in the scrap.
She can be seen violently punching Connor, before a third female, rushes in and slams the her into a wall.
The woman, wearing a white jumper, is then violently dragged back by the hair, by Hewer.
At this point there are five pub-goers tangled together and scrambling on the floor.
Hewer can even be spotted stamping on one woman’s head and face before Connor jumps in and drags him off.
Still swinging, thug Hewer is punched by Connor again and the pair are restrained by two staff members.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Connor spat the appliance engineer’s ear off before a woman nearby picked it up and wrapped it in a napkin.
The chaotic fight was sparked at just before midnight after a “drunken” Hewer was talking loudly to customers’ faces, the court heard.
He struck up a conversation with Connor, who was unknown to him.
An irritated Connor tried to ditch Hewer, who then walked away, but then came back and tried to punch him.
Prosecutor Tim Evans said: “It to the credit of a number of people, none more so than the staff member, that they try to stop the violence.”
Connor, aged 33, of Fenton Close, Speke, Liverpool, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and also affray.
Hewer, aged 44, of West View Road; and Holliday, 36, of Hinnings Road, both Distington, admitted affray.
Connor’s barrister Kim Whittlestone told the court her client’s behaviour was out of character and “something snapped”.
Mitigating for Hewer, Marion Weir said: “Even after two years he is feeling the effects.”
Judge Michael Fanning sentenced Connor to four-and-a-half years in jail.
Sentencing Connor Judge Fanning said: “But I have to deal with you for what you have done – you have used a weapon to inflict this injury.
“Use of the teeth is a weapon.”
Hewer received an immediate 18-month prison sentence.
Sentencing Hewer Judge Fanning said: “You started this.
“You provoked Mr Connor to the position he found himself in – you came out of this very much the loser with a very serious injury.”
Holliday’s 15-month custodial term was suspended for a year, as the judge noted she was the sole carer of two children.
She must complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and also received an alcohol ban.
