by Keith Hunt

A thug who left a man disfigured by biting off part of his ear in Gravesend town centre has been jailed for a year.

Joseph Flynn gnawed off Thomas Gant’s left earlobe after punching him and kicking him in the head.

A judge told Flynn, 24, it would be sending out completely the wrong message if he did not send him to prison.

Flynn, of Railway Street, Northfleet, admitted unlawful wounding.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Gant went to Bar 24 and the Star Grill in the town on October 23 last year.

Mr Gant was with an ex-girlfriend of Flynn’s. He and Flynn argued in the club and bouncers threw them out.

Toby Cadman, prosecuting, said Flynn struck Mr Gant twice in the face in the early hours for making a comment to him.

It was followed by a single kick to the head and Flynn then straddled the victim and sank his teeth into his ear.

Mr Cadman said the lobe could not be sewn back on and doctors were only able to close the wound.

Flynn had 10 previous convictions for offences including violence.
Tom Allen, defending, said Flynn attacked Mr Gant at a time when there was a lot of trouble in his life.

“One might say this was a grave injury in the sense it has left permanent disfigurement,” he said.

“It is a nasty injury. He accepts it was a terrible thing to do.”

Judge Andrew Patience QC said there had been some provocation but the degree of violence was quite unnecessary.

It was urged that “subseqent events” demonstrated Flynn could be given a chance because of progress he had made under orders imposed in August.

“There is a lot to be said for that argument,” said the judge. “Against that, this is an offence which has had grave consequences for the victim.

“It seems to me it would be sending out entirely the wrong message if I were to take the course urged upon me.

“Yes, you have been making progress, but, yes, you have to be punished for what you did.”