Mum bit off part of woman's ear in shocking nightclub attack

The victim had been trying to separate women who were fighting in the toilets at Roxannes in South Shields on May 12 when Jillian Adamson grabbed her.

Newcastle Crown Court heard during the trouble, Adamson, 36, sank her teeth into the victim's flesh.

Prosecutor David Crook told the court: "The complainant describes going into the toilets, seeing her friend being attacked, a lot of pushing, shoving and throwing of punches.

"She describes trying to stop the fight by putting her body between her friend and the two women, trying to separate them.

"The next thing she knew, the defendant grabbed her. They both appear to have slipped at that point and were on the ground.

"There was a struggle between the two of them.

"She describes seeing the defendant move her head towards her and feeling terrible pain to her right ear, a biting sensation. She felt a tear as the ear came away."

The court heard the victim was taken to hospital where a doctor confirmed she had a piece of skin and cartilage missing from the outer rim of her right ear.

The victim told police she has been left "embarrassed" by the way her ear now looks and has suffered pain, anxiety and sleepless nights because of what happened.

She said: "My nerves are gone. I don't like being home alone, I am scared in case the woman who attacked me finds out where I live.

"Before the attack I used to like going to South Shields. I am now nervous and uncomfortable when I am there as I am looking for the woman who assaulted me."

The court heard Adamson, of Aydon Road, Sunderland, was arrested at the scene and initially denied biting.

She later pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced her to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and £1,000 compensation.

The judge said: "This has had a significant effect on the complainant. She cannot wear her hair down, she's more nervous in general, less outgoing than she was before, it has affected her sleep, she can't sleep on that side, and she has daily discomfort."

Jane Foley defending, said Adamson had stepped in because her sister, who she is carer for, had got involved in the trouble in the toilets.

Miss Foley said Adamson, who has a history of mental health problems and has suffered family bereavements, had turned to alcohol and amphetamine to cope but is now receiving proper assistance.

Miss Foley added: "She is a mother, she is a wife, she is a carer for her sister.

"She is unlikely to come before the courts again."