http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/11553944.Man_who_bit_off_part_of_a_taxi_driver_s_ear_is_jailed/A MAN who “behaved like an animal” when he bit part of a taxi driver’s ear off during a frenzied attack has been given a nine-year prison sentence.
Dane Hodkinson, 26, whose violence was fuelled by 20 pints and Jägerbombs, will serve at least six years behind bars and will be on a four-year licence after release.
The victim, former St Helens cabbie Chris Harrison, and members of his family reacted with relief as Judge Clement Goldstone QC delivered the sentence at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday. The judge was told Hodkinson, of Westleigh Lane, Leigh, was in breach of a nine-month suspended sentence for possessing a weapon, during a previous incident where he had attempted to bite another man’s ear off.
The most recent attack happened at about 5am on July 13 this year, when Mr Harrison, aged 44 and from Parr, went to collect a fare at the McDonalds restaurant at St Helens Linkway .
In a previous hearing, CCTV footage had been played to the court showing Hodkinson getting into the front passenger seat and punching the driver.
Both men then got out of the car and began to exchange punches.
Hodkinson, who had earlier attended a wedding, pulled his victim’s t-shirt over his head, knocked him to the kerb and began to rain blows down on him.
Mr Harrison had pushed his panic button and was screaming for help as Hodkinson began to bite him on the fingers, elbow and then took a chunk out of his ear.
The savagery led the driver giving up working on taxis.
Addressing Hodkinson, the judge said: “The fact you seem to think it is acceptable to use your teeth as a weapon is chilling and troubling.
“You launched a frenzied attack with fists and feet, you started to bite his ear off, bit his elbow and fingers, you kicked and stamped on him when he was on the ground.
“You took his keys off him and threw them at him. Such was your contempt that you laughed.
“As a result of this animal behaviour, Mr Harrison has sustained injuries to his fingers, required reconstructive surgery to his ear. He had a number of facial injuries and internal and external bruising to his back.”
Hodkinson pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Robert Haygarth, mitigating, said his client had shown remorse: “When the accused saw what he had done on CCTV he said he wished he would have walked away.”
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