A man "latched on" to his partner's chin in a "barbaric" biting attack after he was woken up from sleeping and then tripped over.
Andrew Harbottle had been drinking alcohol while putting up a Christmas tree with his partner on December 12 last year. Despite having a "pleasant evening", Harbottle was later woken up by his partner and then tripped over as he walked around the bedroom - but when his partner attempted to help him up, he launched a violent biting attack that last around 15 minutes and left the woman needing stitches.
On Thursday, Harbottle appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.
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Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said Harbottle and his then-partner were at home in Shildon and had been having a "pleasant evening" and had drank alcohol before bed. He said: "His partner was watching TV in bed as the defendant slept, he then started muttering and she asked what was the matter.
"He then got up and walked around the room and tripped over. His partner got out of bed and tried to help him off the floor. He then began to attack her by grabbing her hair and pulling her to the floor. He continued pulling her hair as she tried to defend herself."
Mr Bevan added: "He then latched on to her chin with his mouth, causing her to bleed and leaving a laceration which required stitches. He had her chin in a tight grip for a number of minutes. Once he released, he got up and went back to bed."
The court heard the attack lasted around 15 minutes and police were called after a neighbour heard the woman's screams. In interview, Harbottle gave no reply and the relationship is now over. Harbottle had nine previous convictions for 19 offences, including an incident in 2006 where he glassed a 17-year-old and threw a bottle at another man's head.
Amrit Jandoo, defending, said: "This was a truly barbaric attack which has taken place in a domestic home which was quite happy. It was a steady relationship and they had put up a Christmas tree and had alcohol.
"He was asleep and then disturbed which aroused some disturbing behaviour which he has fully accepted. The relationship is well and truly over and he now lives in Manchester and has no intention of returning."
Judge Jo Kidd jailed Harbottle for two years and imposed a five year restraining order.
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