Julie Whitby, prosecuting, told the court the incident happened at the Ranworth Hotel in Pevensey Road, Eastbourne in September last year.
She said: “The victim went up to have some drinks, but noted the large number of bottles and that Martin had been smoking cannabis.
“Martin attempted to kiss the victim out of the blue, which took him by surprise. So he told him to back off, it was not acceptable.
“Later the victim returned to the room to collect a bottle he had left there. Martin indicated that he fancied the victim and that he loved him. Martin’s own partner was still present. Then he launched himself at the victim sitting in a chair, and both men went to the floor.
“The victim was trapped and as he tried to break free, Martin bit his left ear lobe then spat it on the floor.”
Ugh! Well, GBH gets you about two years in the Big House, doesn't it?
Rebecca Upton, defending, said Martin, formerly of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, had a tough upbringing and has struggled with both his mental and physical health.
He was intoxicated on too much alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drugs and was not in control.
Why is this
mitigation, and not an aggravating factor? If I get behind the wheel of a car while plastered and high, it won't be, will it?
Ms Upton said that both Martin and the victim are classed as vulnerable adults.
Huh..? Why?
Judge Waddicor said the attack was “devastating” for the victim and said: “The fact you spat out part of his ear onto the floor reinforces how deplorable your behaviour was.”
But given Martin’s vulnerabilities, she suspended the sentence.
*speechless*
Apparently, in Saxon times, drunkenness was a mitigating factor, and halved the sentence given. The sentence also reflected the social status of victim and perp, which basically meant that a serf couldn't get away with anything, but an aristo could. Elements of the Saxon system still remain, including the language. Fuck that for a game of soldiers!
ReplyDelete"The fact you spat out part of his ear onto the floor reinforces how deplorable your behaviour was."
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Isn't he supposed to swallow?
It used to be British law that self intoxication was not a defence for anything. Maybe now in the day of the Snowflake culture as long as you pissed out of you mind you are above the law. That would certainly explain much of what goes on in our town centres every week end.
ReplyDeleteWould it have been less deplorable had he eaten it? I am uncertain of the etiquette.
ReplyDelete"...which basically meant that a serf couldn't get away with anything, but an aristo could."
ReplyDeleteSounds like a bit more than elements remain!
"Indeed. Isn't he supposed to swallow?"
:D
"That would certainly explain much of what goes on in our town centres every week end."
Places I've avoided for the last decade, and have no plans to revisit any time soon...