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Player guilty of biting off ear | Player guilty of biting off ear |
(4 days later) | |
A rugby player has been found guilty of biting off a piece of a rival's ear during a match. | A rugby player has been found guilty of biting off a piece of a rival's ear during a match. |
Flanker Gareth Jones, 25, of Cardiff side Star RFC, attacked opponent Daniel Hobbs after the referee awarded the rival side a penalty. | Flanker Gareth Jones, 25, of Cardiff side Star RFC, attacked opponent Daniel Hobbs after the referee awarded the rival side a penalty. |
Mr Hobbs, 25, left the pitch bleeding on the side of his face and needed 20 stitches to reattach his ear lobe. | Mr Hobbs, 25, left the pitch bleeding on the side of his face and needed 20 stitches to reattach his ear lobe. |
Jones, of Rhoose, denied wounding with intent, saying witnesses were lying. He will be sentenced next month. | Jones, of Rhoose, denied wounding with intent, saying witnesses were lying. He will be sentenced next month. |
He was bailed and will be sentenced on 19 September. | |
The court had already heard that the game, a home match for Rhiwbina, had only being going for 10 minutes when the fight happened. | The court had already heard that the game, a home match for Rhiwbina, had only being going for 10 minutes when the fight happened. |
'Sharp pain' | 'Sharp pain' |
Prosecutor Mike Jones said: "Rhiwbina were awarded a penalty but were blocked by opposition players. | Prosecutor Mike Jones said: "Rhiwbina were awarded a penalty but were blocked by opposition players. |
"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. |
Prosecutor Mike Jones told the jury: "Jones deliberately bit off a piece of Mr Hobbs' ear causing a wound which required hospital treatment and 20 stitches. | Prosecutor Mike Jones told the jury: "Jones deliberately bit off a piece of Mr Hobbs' ear causing a wound which required hospital treatment and 20 stitches. |
Remanded | Remanded |
"This manner of violence has no place in a game of rugby or any other sport. It is deeply unpleasant, totally unnecessary and entirely unlawful." | "This manner of violence has no place in a game of rugby or any other sport. It is deeply unpleasant, totally unnecessary and entirely unlawful." |
Gareth Jones told the court: "Witnesses who say they saw me bite him are lying, 100% they're lying. | Gareth Jones told the court: "Witnesses who say they saw me bite him are lying, 100% they're lying. |
"I don't know whether he was bitten or not but it wasn't by me." | "I don't know whether he was bitten or not but it wasn't by me." |
He was remanded on bail and will be sentenced on 19 September. | He was remanded on bail and will be sentenced on 19 September. |
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