Court dismisses biter appeal

A MAN who bit the entire bottom lip off another man during a fight and who was sentenced to three years in prison has had his appeal against the severity of that sentence dismissed by the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Last July, Galway Circuit Court heard that Joseph Boreham, aged 40, from England, with an address at St Brendan’s Terrace, Loughrea, Co Galway, bit the lower lip off Derek Greene, a man in his 30s, early on March 18 last year at Barrack Street, Loughrea.

Judge Raymond Groarke imposed the three-year sentence.

Boreham had appealed the severity of that term. Counsel for the DPP opposed the appeal, and argued that the terms should remain unaltered.

Yesterday, the three-judge CCA with Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Liam McKechnie and Mr Justice John McMenamin dismissed Boreham’s appeal against the severity of that term.

Last July, Galway Circuit Court heard that Mr Greene’s entire lower lip and the flesh beneath it was completely torn away and was hanging by a little piece of skin. The Court heard that Mr Greene required extensive plastic surgery and has been left with scarring.

Boreham had drank 25 pints on St Patrick’s Day, and got involved in an argument with Mr Greene outside a pub. The court also heard that Mr Boreham had previous convictions in England for two indecent assaults and for assault causing actual bodily harm.