Watford snooker team captain 'sunk teeth' into team mate's ear

Steven Gibbs, 33, left Paul Stockwell needing reconstructive surgery after the fight in Hemel Hempstead, St Albans Crown Court heard.

Giving evidence Mr Stockwell, 41, a window cleaner of medium build, said: "He had me in a headlock and he just bit my ear. I felt his mouth around my ear. I felt a warm sensation running down the back of my neck. I could feel his mouth very close to my ear.

"Once he got a grip his teeth pulled down my ear. I saw the reflection of my ear hanging down in the reflection of a window."

Mr Stockwell, of South Oxhey, said he had been a member of the Conservative Club snooker team for three or four years.

He had phoned Mr Gibbs following a disagreement with a team mate and said did not want to play for his team anymore.

He said Mr Gibbs told him a lot of people thought he was a "stirrer."

And argument followed and ended with the defendant telling Mr Stockwell to travel to Gadebrige in Hemel where he was working. He did and a fight broke out.

Mr Stockwell said: "I stood on the spot and he walked towards me. He was five yards away and said: 'Do you want a fight? Do you want a fight?

"The next thing I knew he hit me with his right fist to the side of my right jaw. I took two steps back. I punched him and hit him in the jaw. I kicked him. We were throwing fresh air shots at each other. I went to hit him and I missed and my momentum carried me through. He threw me to the side. He grabbed me by the back of my jumper and back of my hair. We both fell onto three steps. I fell into his lap and that's when he bit my ear."

When questioned by the police Mr Gibbs said they had shaken hands but Mr Stockwell had punched and kicked him. He said he had put him in a head lock and had bitten his ear, saying he was surprised how easily his teeth went through.

Mr Gibbs of Alldicks Road, Hemel denies wounding Mr Stockwell with intent and a lesser charge of wounding on 27 March this year. The case continues.