Man guilty of biting off housemate's ear in Colchester house share

Hassan Ali was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm at an address in New Park Street, Colchester, when he launched himself at a housemate who confronted him for being untidy.

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

Trial – a jury convicted Hassan Ali after two and a half hours (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

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

Giving evidence through a Turkish interpreter, Mr 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 Mr Celik later telling police Ali “spat out” part of his ear after the two were separated.

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

Addressing Mr 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 tried to claim two of the housemates were restraining him whilst Mr Celik assaulted him.

Defence – Hassan Ali claimed he was attacked first and that two housemates restrained him whilst Turgut Celik punched him (Image: Essex Police)

The prosecution questioned how Mr Celik received two punches to the mouth if Ali was being restrained.

Before the jury retired, Recorder William Clegg KC told them: “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.”

The jury deliberated for two hours and 33 minutes before delivering a guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon.