Reading Crown Court: Newbury man bit partner’s ear off

A MAN high on cocaine and alcohol bit off part of his partner’s ear and left it lying on the living room floor.

The 36-year-old admitted the attack when arrested – but claimed he did it in his sleep, a jury heard.

In the dock at Reading Crown Court was James Green, who was living at Maple Crescent in Newbury.

The court heard surgeons tried to re-attach the severed part of Louise Campbell’s ear but that the flesh blackened and died.

Jurors have been told that Mr Green, who denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent, has previous convictions for causing Ms Campbell actual bodily harm and for an offence of battery against her.

Althea Brooks, prosecuting, said that, on this occasion, Mr Green had been drinking all day and taking cocaine when the attack happened.

Giving evidence, Ms Campbell said her partner had become “agitated and paranoid” after an all-day session of heavy drinking and taking cocaine, causing her to keep out of his way.

By the evening, however, she came to make a cigarette and picked up Mr Green’s phone, which was beeping.

Suddenly, she said, Mr Green jumped up from the sofa and grabbed her hair, his other fist clenched as if to punch her.

Ms Campbell added: “I was screaming at him to let me go; we both rolled onto the sofa, then both rolled onto the floor.

“I was in an almost fetal position.

“James was kneeling directly beside me; I put my arms up to protect my face.

“I could see James’s face coming down towards me with his mouth open.”

Mr Green then bit down and tore off part of her right ear.

Jurors heard Ms Campbell fled upstairs and locked herself in the bathroom, blood pouring from the wound onto her chest.

She went on: “He asked me not to call the police.

“Then he rang his mum and told her I attacked him so he had bitten my ear off.

“He took my car and drove away.”

Police took Ms Campbell to hospital, as no ambulance was available, with the severed ear on ice.

She underwent on operation under general anaesthetic to re-attach it but the tissue became necrotic, the court heard.

Jurors were shown bloody photographs of the injury.

Mr Green, who is representing himself in the trial, denies causing Ms Campbell grievous bodily harm on September 13 last year.

Ms Brooks told jurors that in May, 2020, he was convicted of causing her actual bodily harm.

She added: “He was under the influence of alcohol and punched her twice to the face.”

Then, in October 2021, he committed assault by beating after he went into the bedroom while Ms Campbell was asleep, accused her of cheating and punched her.

Ms Campbell told jurors that their three-year relationship was now over.

Ms Brooks said: “In interview, the defendant said he had been asleep, or perhaps unconscious, at the time of the attack; that he didn’t know what he was doing and thought he was being attacked.

“The Crown doesn’t accept this.

“Mr Green’s phone showed calls being made; he was talking and engaging in conversation.”

The trial, expected to conclude early next week, continues.