A MAN has said he will never return to Bournemouth after an attacker bit his ear off at a Razorlight concert.
Matt Tate, 44, said he could not look in the mirror after more than a quarter of his ear was bitten off in the unprovoked attack.
Matt was visiting the town from Swindon with his wife and two friends, specifically for a Razorlight gig on April 28 at the O2 Academy in Boscombe.
“I was enjoying the night, watching Razorlight and having a good time, having a laugh with everybody when out of nowhere he’s tapped me on the shoulder a few times,” said Matt.
“I went in thinking he had something to say to me and the next thing I know he’s taken my ear off.”
Matt was left covered in blood as the attacker, who was later revealed to be Fareham man Daniel Sykes, attempted to flee the scene.
Read the court case here:
Man bit concert-goer’s ear off in savage attack at rock gig
However, security stopped him at the door and noticed blood on his face, so police were called.
“They found my ear on the floor, but it was all stamped on, so they couldn’t do anything with that and then I was sent to Bournemouth hospital,” said Matt.
He later returned home to Swindon where 16 stitches were put in his ear.
Matt was initially sent to Oxford for treatment before being referred to specialists in London.
He is now on an 18-month waiting list for surgery to use part of his rib to replace his ear.
When arriving home Matt said it was “really hard” to explain to his two children, aged 13 and 11, what had happened to his ear, but it was worse showing his younger nephews.
“They didn’t want to see me at all.
“They started crying, running away and it took them a couple of weeks before they wanted to see me properly.”
As a football coach Matt also had to explain the injury to his under 13s team and was called a “thug” by a colleague when returning to work.
(Image: Newsquest)
Daniel Sykes, 46, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court, for inflicting grievous bodily harm, to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation, but Matt said this will not cover his counselling sessions and travel costs.
“He’s just walking the streets like nothing matters now to him.
“I’ve had nothing from him, no apology.
“If you’re a decent person you would apologise for doing something like that.”
Matt said he has “no desire” to ever return to Bournemouth.
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