A man is facing prison for biting another man’s ear clean off during violence which flared at a West Cumbrian hotel.
Paul Connor, 33, was one of three people who appeared in the dock at Carlisle Crown Court this morning.
All three were charged following an incident, said to have happened at the Kellbank Hotel in Gosforth, near Seascale, on Saturday July 8 2023.
Connor pleaded guilty to two offences. He admitted unlawfully and maliciously wounding Christopher Hewer with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.
Connor further admitted affray — using or threatening unlawful violence towards another which would cause a person of reasonable firmness, present at the scene, to fear for their personal safety.
Hewer, 44, of West View Road, Distington – who had his ear completely bitten off by Connor — was also charged following the incident, along with Antonia Holliday, 35, of Hinnings Road, Distington.
Hewer and Holliday appeared in the crown court dock earlier in the day — separately to Connor — and both admitted a charge of affray.
Lawyers representing Hewer, Holliday and Connor all asked for the preparation of probation service pre-sentence reports before the punishments of their respective clients were handed down.
Judge Michael Fanning agreed. He set a provisional sentencing date in the week of June 20 this year, and all three defendants were granted bail in the meantime.
Judge Fanning told all three that they would receive appropriate discounts to their eventual sentences in recognition of their guilty pleas.
He told Hewer and Holliday: “This is a serious incident, however. You appreciate that. Every sentencing option is available to the court.”
Kim Whittlestone, mitigating for Connor, told the court he was a father-of-two who worked as a tree surgeon.
“He knows it is going to be a lengthy custodial sentence,” said Miss Whittlestone.
Addressing Connor, of Fenton Close, Liverpool, Judge Fanning said: “You know they are serious matters. You know the likely outcome.”
The judge added: “Co-operate with probation. The contents of their report are bound to assist you, even if the (sentencing) outcome is the same.”
