James Tomlinson and Benedict Whittall sentenced for 'vicious' assault and biting man's ear

James Tomlinson and Benedict Whittall have been sentenced after an assault, during which a man’s ear was bitten.

Tomlinson (12/07/92) of Durnford Street, Middleton, was yesterday, Thursday 5 December 2014, sentenced to 6 months in prison suspended for 18 months at Minshull Street Crown Court. He will also be subject to a 3 month home curfew and has been ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work.

Tomlinson pleaded guilty to S47 assault at an earlier hearing.

Whittall (27/01/92) of Manchester New Road, Middleton, was yesterday, Thursday 05/12/2014, sentenced to 9 months in prison suspended for 18 months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He will also be subject to a 3 month home curfew and has been ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work.

The victims will receive £1,200 from the defendants.

Whittall was found guilty of S47 assault.

On Friday 20 December 2013 the victims had taken a taxi back to Middleton, after a night out and were walking on Long Street on their way home when they saw two men who they recognised. They struck up conversation with the two men, but after a short time Tomlinson and Whittall became threatening and aggressive.

One of the victims walked away but Tomlinson punched him in the head and the victim was then held against the wall by the offenders and Whittall bit the victim’s ear.

The other victim tried to intervene by punching Tomlinson and Whittall in the back, but they retaliated by pushing him to the floor and kicking him in the face, before leaving.

Both offenders were later arrested on suspicion of Section 47 assault.

Detective Constable Michael Berger, said: “This was a vicious attack during which a man’s ear was bitten.

“The victims had been celebrating a birthday but their night sadly ended in hospital.

“I hope this sentence shows that we simply will not tolerate violence in any form.”