Player guilty of biting off ear

A rugby player has been found guilty of biting off a piece of a rival's ear during a match.

Flanker Gareth Jones, 25, of Cardiff side Star RFC, attacked opponent Daniel Hobbs after the referee awarded the rival side a penalty.

Mr Hobbs, 25, left the pitch bleeding on the side of his face and needed 20 stitches to reattach his ear lobe.

Jones, of Rhoose, denied wounding with intent, saying witnesses were lying. He will be sentenced next month.

He was bailed and will be sentenced on 19 September.

The court had already heard that the game, a home match for Rhiwbina, had only being going for 10 minutes when the fight happened.

'Sharp pain'

Prosecutor Mike Jones said: "Rhiwbina were awarded a penalty but were blocked by opposition players.

"Both teams started pushing and shoving and Jones came face to face with Mr Hobbs.

"Jones grabbed hold of his upper arm, lent forward and purposely bit him on the left ear without any justification.

"Hobbs immediately felt a sharp pain and put his hand up to his ear. When he pulled his hand back it was covered in blood."

The jury heard that Mr Jones was arrested after the match.

Prosecutor Mike Jones told the jury: "Jones deliberately bit off a piece of Mr Hobbs' ear causing a wound which required hospital treatment and 20 stitches.

Remanded

"This manner of violence has no place in a game of rugby or any other sport. It is deeply unpleasant, totally unnecessary and entirely unlawful."

Gareth Jones told the court: "Witnesses who say they saw me bite him are lying, 100% they're lying.

"I don't know whether he was bitten or not but it wasn't by me."

He was remanded on bail and will be sentenced on 19 September.