Wife-beating thug who bit off cop’s EAR jailed for eight years

A wife-beating thug who bit off a policeman’s EAR in a drunken attack has been jailed for eight years.

Rex Gardner left Pc Steve Fisher, 58, with life-changing injuries in the brutal assault last August.

The officer and colleague Pc Daniel Gildersleve answered a 999 call from Gardner’s ex-partner after another domestic violence incident.

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They arrived at the address in Broxbourne, Herts just after 11.30pm and Gardner became aggressive as the police spoke to him.

He suddenly lunged towards Pc Fisher, grabbed him around his body armour and threw him through a kitchen table.

When Pc Gildersleve tried to intervene Gardner, 43, lobbed a glass vase at him.

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As the men scuffled with on the floor, the thug leant into Pc Fisher and tore off the top part of his right EAR.

A court heard the officer needed surgery after the attack and was left with a life-long injury.

Gardner was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a three-day trial and jailed on Monday at St Albans Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Jon Dick said: “This attack was outrageously violent and totally unprovoked.

“Pc Fisher and Gilderselve had attended the address to provide support to a vulnerable victim of domestic abuse and the traumatic events of that night I’m sure will live with them for a very long time.

“Gardner is a violent man and the sentence he has been given reflects the severity of his appalling crimes.”

Chief constable Andy Bliss added: “Everyday officers put themselves at risk to protect the public and this incident is just one example of the dangers faced by frontline staff.

“Pc Fisher and Gildersleve acted with bravery in what was an appalling situation.

“The officers had no indication until the last possible moment that they were dealing with such a dangerous offender.

“Their actions and bravery on the night set an outstanding example to colleagues across the force.”

David Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner added: “This has been a disturbing case in which an officer from Hertfordshire Constabulary has suffered serious life-changing injuries that needed long-term medical attention, whilst a second has escaped serious injury.  I want to Rex Gardner to pay the financial price for his violent crimes.

“In my police and crime plan ‘Everybody’s Business’ I talk about offenders paying the costs that they create, particularly where costs could have been avoided by complying with the direction of police officers as with this case.

“I will now be working closely with the Constabulary to identify a way of recovering the cost of wasted police and case preparation time caused directly by the actions of Rex Gardner.”