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Ear-biting rugby player is jailed | Ear-biting rugby player is jailed |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A rugby player who bit off a piece of an opponent's ear during a match, after the referee had awarded a penalty, has been jailed for a year. | |
Flanker Gareth Jones, 25, of Cardiff side Star RFC, left opponent Daniel Hobbs, 25, of Rhiwbina RFC, needing 20 stitches to reattach his earlobe. | Flanker Gareth Jones, 25, of Cardiff side Star RFC, left opponent Daniel Hobbs, 25, of Rhiwbina RFC, needing 20 stitches to reattach his earlobe. |
Jones, of Rhoose, had denied wounding with intent, but was convicted after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in August. | |
Sentencing him, Judge Stephen Hopkins described the attack as "barbaric". | Sentencing him, Judge Stephen Hopkins described the attack as "barbaric". |
Jailing Jones for 12 months, the judge told said: "This remains an appalling piece of gratuitous violence. | Jailing Jones for 12 months, the judge told said: "This remains an appalling piece of gratuitous violence. |
"The unprovoked and mindless, deliberate, biting of an opponent's ear during a rugby match can only be described as a barbaric act." | "The unprovoked and mindless, deliberate, biting of an opponent's ear during a rugby match can only be described as a barbaric act." |
Jones's trial had heard the match being played at Rhiwbina was only 10 minutes old when when the attack happened. | Jones's trial had heard the match being played at Rhiwbina was only 10 minutes old when when the attack happened. |
Mike Jones, prosecuting, told the jury: "Rhiwbina were awarded a penalty but were blocked by opposition players. | Mike Jones, prosecuting, told the jury: "Rhiwbina were awarded a penalty but were blocked by opposition players. |
'Lying' | 'Lying' |
"Both teams started pushing and shoving and Jones came face to face with Mr Hobbs. | "Both teams started pushing and shoving and Jones came face to face with Mr Hobbs. |
"Jones grabbed hold of his upper arm, lent forward and purposely bit him on the left ear without any justification. | "Jones grabbed hold of his upper arm, lent forward and purposely bit him on the left ear without any justification. |
"Hobbs immediately felt a sharp pain and put his hand up to his ear. When he pulled his hand back it was covered in blood." | "Hobbs immediately felt a sharp pain and put his hand up to his ear. When he pulled his hand back it was covered in blood." |
The jury heard that Mr Jones was arrested after the match. | The jury heard that Mr Jones was arrested after the match. |
Jones claimed witnesses who said they had seen him bite Mr Hobbs were lying. | Jones claimed witnesses who said they had seen him bite Mr Hobbs were lying. |
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