Curfew for biting finger of doorman
A DRUNKEN man bit a doorman's finger when he was refused entry to a private party at a social club in Lawrence Weston.
Scott McCarthy, 28, sunk his teeth into the man's hand as he was being held in a "fish hook" move, Bristol Magistrates' Court heard.
He also lashed out towards nine other doormen and club committee members trying to eject him from the venue.
The court heard a friend had told McCarthy he might be allowed into the party at the club, known as The Cabbage Patch, and became agitated when he was denied entry.
McCarthy, of Stile Acres, Lawrence Weston, was ordered to remain indoors under curfew for 10 weeks and pay his victim Edwin Williams £200 compensation and £100 costs.
Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said McCarthy became abusive towards door staff during the row at the club on May 7.
The court was told McCarthy accepted biting Mr Williams, who had his fingers in McCarthy's mouth in a "fish hook" hold as the doormen tried to eject him from the building.
A statement from McCarthy, read to the court, said: "I accept I acted recklessly and in a threatening manner. I was swinging my fists due to the number of people on top of me, but not with the intention of making a connection with any individual within the group."
McCarthy told police Mr Williams had tried to choke him by putting his fingers in his mouth.
Mr Williams was treated in hospital after the attack to prevent him contracting an infection from the bite wound.
McCarthy had been due to stand trial but yesterday admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and using threatening behaviour. Two common assault charges were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Mr Treharne said McCarthy had 36 offences to his name and was convicted of causing actual bodily harm in 2006.
John Stokes, defending, said McCarthy had been to his grandmother's funeral before going to the club and had been in a "poor emotional state".
He said the doormen were physically and verbally abusive to McCarthy and had tried to frog-march him along a corridor and out of the venue.
He said: "Mr Williams' hands went into his mouth. Mr McCarthy bit his finger and swung his fists, which came into contact with his cousin and another man."
McCarthy claims incapacity benefit for a broken leg.
3 Comments
by Keith, Bristol
Thursday, July 29 2010, 7:49PM
“Evening Post, you need to get your facts straight, Mr Williams at no point had his fingers in Scott McCarthy's mouth apart from when he so visiously bit him. You have to understand that Mr McCarthy pleaded guilty and was found guilty of the crime, he was so obviously lying to get himself a lesser sentence.
You are making it sound as if Mr Williams has committed a crime himself, which was not the case. He was mearly doing his duties as the vice president (not a doorman) another fact that you have got wrong.
In future you need to check all the facts and not just to listen to some common criminal who could inflict such an awful injury on another human being. In my opinion Mr McCarthy should have been locked up and taught a real lesson.......but that's just my opinion.”
by Mind Ur Own Business, Bristol
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 5:46PM
“Sam, He actually has a broken foot and is claiming a different benefit than the one stated in the afticle. I wouldn't alway believe what you read as BEP are known for getting things wrong.”
by Sam, Bristol
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 10:00AM
“"McCarthy claims incapacity benefit for a broken leg."
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. A broken leg will almost never meet the definition of long-term. Sounds like he's making a false claim.”