A thug who was recently released from prison on licence BIT OFF a man’s ear at a party, a court has heard.
Sick Ben Perks, 28, who has a previous conviction for ear biting, attended a house party in August last year shortly after he was released from prison for a serious assault.
While there he met Luke Clarke, who sustained substantial injuries following an altercation in the house in Southmead, Bristol.
Perks bit Clarke’s ear completely following the row – leaving him with substantial mental and physical injuries.
Bristol Crown Court heard that as a result of the attack, Luke wore a hat to cover his injuries and was having help to deal with the trauma.
The recorder Mr Richard Tyson imposed a five year sentence comprising of three and a half years’ custody and an extended licence period of 18 months.
He said he considered Perks to be a dangerous offender who poses a significant risk to members of the public of causing serious harm.
The recorder told Perks: “I take account that you are provoked when you should ignore the provocation, and you go into confrontations which you should avoid.
“You have an appalling record. At the time you had only been three months out and this was a violent attack.”
Ian Dixey, prosecuting, said there was concern regarding Perks’ behaviour towards women at the party, which prompted an argument and then an altercation.
Perks denied the improper behaviour.
Mr Dixey said: “During the altercation this defendant bit off the ear of Luke Clarke, which was removed in its entirety.”
The court heard Mr Clarke had been referred to both physical and psychological specialists after suffering the injury.
Perks’ list of previous convictions included offences of common assault, affray, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, causing damage and an attempt to cause grievous bodily harm.
Jonathan Stanniland, defending, said his client pleaded guilty on the basis the force he used was excessive and not reasonable self-defence.
Mr Stanniland told the court: “He says the injury was inflicted after seeing his brother horribly injured by Luke Clarke.
“The defence say he (Mr Clarke) made a dangerous lunge at the body of Kye Perks, causing extensive bleeding in the kitchen of the house.
“He became involved in a fight with Ben Perks.
“When Mr Perks was involved in the fight, trying to keep the knife away from his abdomen, he inflicted the injury with his teeth to Mr Clarke’s ear.
“There is significant and obvious harm because of the disfiguring effect of the injury inflicted.”
Mr Clarke said the knife did not appear until after his ear was bitten off, the court heard.