A University of Bath student who bit another man’s ear so badly that he needed an operation has been spared jail.
James Boskey, 21, who is from Newton in Swansea, was before Bath magistrates last Wednesday, 11th June, for sentencing, having previously admitted maliciously wounding Sam Pemberton.
At an end-of-year celebration evening held at Bath Racecourse on 31st May 2024, Boskey reacted to a comment by punching Mr Pemberton and biting his ear, exposing the cartilage.
The victim ended up having a general anaesthetic at the Royal United Hospital, where he spent two nights and had to be receive antibiotics. His ear is now permanently disfigured.
In a statement read to the court, Mr Pemberton, who had been celebrating graduating, spoke of the pain he had suffered and how he had spent 10 hours in A&E.
He revealed he has lost confidence in social surroundings and is worried about how his disfigured ear will affect his professional image.
He is in the Armed Forces and said he needs to be mindful that what happened to him could be a “trigger” in the future.
The court heard that Boskey’s actions were “wholly out of character” and he had no previous convictions.
Although alcohol may have played a part that night, he does not have an issue with drink or drugs.
His solicitor said that Boskey is an “intelligent young man” who has had success on the sporting field too. He had been at the end of his second year studying pharmacy at the time and expressed “genuine and significant remorse” about his behaviour and the impact on his victim.
Boskey has used his time “fruitfully” over the last year and been working and earning £400 a week, the court heard.
There is a “realistic possibility” that he will be able to return to his studies at the University of Bath in September and that his career can be saved.
Chair of the bench Anthony Davies told Boskey that the magistrates had discussed his case at length and were not going to give him a custodial sentence, “but you came pretty close”.
Boskey was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay his victim £1,000 in compensation. He must also pay £85 prosecution costs and a court surcharge of £114.
