24/08/2012

Man Denies Biting Friend's Ear Off

A man accused of biting a friend's ear off during a night out has been remanded in custody.

Russell Kennedy, 22, of Main Street, Lisnaskea, told police he was acting in self-defence.

A policewoman told Fermanagh Court that on Sunday, August 19 at Omagh Hospital, 24-year-old Jason Kennedy told them that Mr Kennedy had assaulted him on the bus between Lisnaskea and Omagh, and again when he got off the bus.

Mr Kennedy allegedly bit off 90% of one of his friend's ears in three bites, as well as giving him two black eyes and a suspected broken bone in his hand.

The victim was transferred to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry for further treatment but pieces of his ear recovered at the scene could not be reattached.

The officer told the court witnesses reported seeing blood in Russell Kennedy's mouth but no injuries were noted arounc his mouth. They said he had consumed a lot of alcohol on the bus and been abusive to women when he got off the bus.

When questioned, Mr Kennedy denied biting his friend's ear and said he could not remember anything.

Russell Kennedy denies unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to 24-year-old Jason Kennedy and assaulting Mr. Kennedy's 20-year-old girlfriend, Nicole Rice.

Deputy District Judge Paul Conway remanded him in custody to appear at Omagh Court by video link from Maghaberry Prison on September 11.

(NE)

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