Man jailed six months for biting off rival’s ear

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 44-year-old unemployed man, Joseph Mensah Amartey, to six months in prison for biting off the ear of an Information Technology Engineer over a woman.

The convict, was also ordered by the court to pay compensation of GH¢2,000 to the complainant, Mr Japhet Tetteh Josiah.

Amartey, who was charged with causing harm, pleaded guilty and prayed for leniency.

The court presided over by Mrs. Priscilla Dapaah Mireku convicted Amartey on his own.

The court in handing down the sentence said it took into consideration the fact that the accused person was a first offender and did not waste the court’s time.

According to the court, the accused had also shown remorse.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector John Gohoho told the court on August 13, this year at about 9:30 pm while the complainant, Japhet Tetteh Josiah, and his girlfriend, Emelia Laryea, who is a witness in the case were on their way home, the accused person emerged and followed them about 500m away.

Chief Inspector Gohoho said Amartey walked up to them and held Emelia’s hand and asked her to follow him home, but Emelia turned Amartey’s request down.

Prosecution said a misunderstanding ensued between the complainant and Amartey and in the process the latter bit off the complainant’s ear.

The complainant, the prosecution said, reported the matter to the police and was issued with a medical form to go to the hospital.

Afterward, the complainant led the police to arrest the convict from his hideout.

Prosecution said during investigations, it was revealed that Emelia was dating the complainant and convict at the same time and so when he (the convict) saw Emelia in the company of the complainant he became violent and attacked the complainant.

Amartey in his caution statement admitted the offence, prosecution said.