Defendant accused of biting housemate's ear off was 'attacked first'

Hassan Ali is accused of causing grievous bodily harm at an address in New Park Street, Colchester, when a fight broke out over the tidiness of their house.

The victim, Turgut Celik, was taken to Colchester Hospital where doctors tried unsuccessfully to reattach part of his ear he lost in the spat.

Violence - the fight took place in New Park Street, Colchester (Image: Google Street View)

The jury at Chelmsford Crown Court was told how the four housemates - who were living together whilst awaiting a decision from the Home Office about their asylum claims - were discussing an incident where hallway furniture had been turned upside down.

Only Celik and Ali were in the house at the time, with Celik taking a video of the mess.

Giving evidence through a Turkish interpreter, Celik said: “[The two housemates] said they didn’t do it, and I didn’t do it myself.

“Then we asked Hassan if he was responsible, and he said he didn’t do it.

“I said ‘only the two of us were at home – I was in the bathroom and you were here’, and I showed him the videos.”

There was then a violent brawl, with Celik later telling police he noticed blood on the floor at the end of the punch-up and claiming Ali “spat out” part of his ear after the two were separated.

Charles Austin-Groome, defending, claimed Ali acted in self-defence and that Celik threw the first punch.

Addressing Celik, he said: “I suggest you were punching Mr Ali, there was a scuffle, you then equipped yourself with a pan and then hit him to the head several times – only then has he bitten you.”

Ali, of North Downs Road in Croydon, also claims two of the housemates were restraining him whilst Celik assaulted him.

Verdict - a jury has retired to consider whether or not the defendant is guilty (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Giving directions to the jury, Recorder William Clegg KC said: “One thing is clear, ladies and gentlemen.

“Someone is lying, and lying hard – either the two witnesses you have heard giving the evidence, or this defendant when he spoke to the police.

“You have to face up to that unpalatable fact and decide who it is who is telling the lies.”

The trial continues.