Businessman gets suspended sentence for biting woman

A businessman who bit a young woman in a nightclub, has been given a four-month suspended prison setence.

A businessman who bit a young woman in a nightclub, has been given a four-month suspended prison sentence.

Limerick businessman, John Cox, was convicted of assault at Limerick District Court.

Mr Cox, aged 30, of Old Quarter House, Little Ellen Street, Limerick, pleaded guilty to assaulting 21 year-old Claire Lyne on March 30, 2002.

Garda James Aherne told the court that the injured party had met Mr Cox with her friend by the DJ box in The Market Nightclub in the early hours of March 30 last.

Mr Cox offered the women cigarettes and tried to put a cigarette in Ms Lyne's mouth but she declined and said she could do it herself, the court heard.

At that stage the accused grabbed the victim's hand and bit her - he became very aggressive and abusive and Ms Lyne was frightened, the court heard.

Garda Aherne said he did not believe that the injured party wanted to give evidence in the case, although she was present in court yesterday.

Defence Counsel, Henry Downey, BL, told the court it was clear that there was a bite mark on the victim but he added that the skin had not been broken and the victim had made a full recovery within four weeks.

A "considerable" financial settlement had also been reached with the injured party who had earlier issued civil proceedings, the court heard.

Mr Downey, BL, told Judge Tom O'Donnell that his client had been out for a few drinks and had no particular memory of the incident but he accepted that it had happened and was very sorry.

"It was a foolish and silly incident, This is a young businessman guilty of a stupid mistake and I ask you to give him a chance," said Mr Downey.

Mr Cox was currently living with his partner and their one year-old son, the court heard.

Judge Tom O'Donnell said he could not treat the matter as a "foolish or silly incident".

"I take a human bite mark to be a very serious matter indeed. It is absolutely and utterly outrageous.

"I have no hesitation in saying that if the matter had been contested and had resulted in a conviction then he would have gone to prison. This was a most cowardly act - brash, brazen and bullying!" said Judge O'Donnell.

Judge O'Donnell imposed a four-month prison sentence but suspended it on condition that Mr Cox keep the peace for two years.

He also ordered that witness expenses of €240 should be paid.

At the end of the case, a tearful and emotional Ms Lyne was comforted in court by relatives and friends.