These are the latest ECHO headlines this morning.
Drinker told man to 'cheer up and get a haircut' then bit off his earlobe
A self-employed joiner bit a man’s earlobe off in “self-defence” after he triggered a pub brawl by buying drinks for his victim’s wife then walking off with his cigarettes.
Michael Williams, 38, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday to learn his fate over the outbreak of violence at The Halfway House on Halton Road in Runcorn on Friday, September 24 last year. Anna Price, prosecuting, told how Williams had been drinking in the alehouse when at about 9pm he offered to buy drinks for another punter, Clare Hartley whose husband Phillip had popped away from the table to use the toilet.
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Williams brought four shots over: two each for himself and Mrs Hartley, and they drank them and he left. He returned a short time later and goaded Mr Hartley, telling him to “cheer up and get a haircut”.
Williams, who Mr Hartley thought was trying to “chat up his wife, then “helped himself to some of his cigarettes and walked away”. Mr Hartley followed him to the bar, with his wife and a friend behind.
The aggrieved husband “punched” Williams, prompting the friend and a bartender to try to separate them.
Liverpool primary school warns of job losses after council energy scandal
A Liverpool primary school has warned that there could be job losses throughout the city after the city council's disastrous handling of a major electricity contract.
The chair of governors at Northcote Primary school in Walton has written to Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson to register his 'grave concerns' about the impact the energy contract scandal is having on his and other city schools. He said the current impact on the north Liverpool school is unsustainable.
In May it was revealed that a series of calamitous errors at the city council had led to huge additional costs in terms of the local authority's energy bills as well as the bills of city schools and the local fire service who were part of the same deal.
Live updates as train strikes cause travel disruption on Merseyrail, Avanti, Northern and TransPennine
A rail strike will take place today, with more than 50,000 railway workers set to walk out.
Major travel disruption is expected as the RMT union members from Northern Rail, and 13 other train firms, take part in the second day of industrial action this week. The whole country will be affected by the strike, including Merseyside, as Merseyrail suspends all services again today.
Whilst Merseyrail staff are not taking part in the industrial action, it will involve Network Rail staff who operate the signalling systems and provide crucial maintenance which allow services to run safely.
The operator says it is unable to provide any train services on days when industrial action is taking place. There will be no rail replacement buses on strike days and passengers are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.
James Bulger's mum heartbroken as grave targeted by thieves
Hundreds raised in one day for family who 'lost everything'
Twin's tribute to sister Lexi she will 'never forget' after tragic crash
Mum accuses friend of 'lying' after reaction to 'classic' but 'bland' baby name
Drivers spot motorbike 'flying through air' before crash landing on major road
