A teenage boy today told how he pleaded for mercy as a vicious attacker bit off half his ear in a horrific seafront attack.

The 15-year-old - who lives in the town centre - will now need up to four operations to rebuild his ear after the sickening incident.

The youngster said: "The guy grabbed me and pushed me to the ground. He then put his teeth around my ear.

Injury - the boy hides his face Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

"I said 'please don't bite my ear off' - I was screaming it - but he did.

"While he was on top of me his girlfriend took off a high-heeled shoe and kept hitting me over the head with it. My mates were hitting the geezer and it took a security guard to pull him off - no one else could."

The schoolboy - who does not want to be identified - said the attack happened after he came across an argument between a man and a friend of his outside Doodahs burger bar in Marine Parade, Southend, at 12.30am on Sunday.

The boy claimed when he recognised his friend, he asked him what the argument was about but the pair carried on arguing so he joined the queue for a burger.

The man then punched his friend - and seconds later the 15-year-old was attacked.

Police were quickly on the scene and a paramedic took the boy to Southend Hospital.

The following day experts at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford told him he would need up to four operations to rebuild the ear.

Supt Steve Currell, deputy divisional commander of Southend police, said: "This seems to be an isolated incident but we are concerned if youngsters are out on the streets at that time in the morning."

A 23-year-old London man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on police bail until August 4. Witnesses are asked to call Southend Police on 01702 431212.

Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

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