Woman spoke with lisp after kiss turned violent when Gateshead thug bit down forcefully on partner's tongue
Shaun Dodd, of Gateshead, who had been released from prison on licence after attacking a previous partner, bit his new girlfriend's tongue and hit her over the head with a dining chair
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA kiss suddenly turned violent when a domestic abuse thug clamped his teeth down on his partner's tongue so hard she thought he was trying to bite it off.
The victim had met Shaun Dodd in Newcastle city centre in April this year and said they "hit it off immediately". He would regularly visit her home and there had been no violence or threats in the early stages of their relationship, despite him having more than 100 convictions on his record, including GBH with intent on a previous partner
Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "That changed on the 1st of May. They were kissing on the sofa in her living room when he bit down hard on her tongue.
"Such was the force used, she believed he intended to bite off her tongue." She ran from her house before returning and the police were contacted.
When they got there, she covered for Dodd, saying he wasn't there, as she didn't want to get him in trouble at that point. Two hours later, he accused her of taking his money and she said she hadn't.
Mr Wardlaw said: "He responded by punching her in the face and picking up a dining chair and striking her to the head, causing a 7cm laceration to her scalp."
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By the following morning, Dodd was gone and the woman had a pre-arranged meeting with a social worker, who noticed the obvious injury to her head and the woman told her what had happened and she contacted the police.
Before the police arrived, Dodd, 41, of Stretford Court, Gateshead, returned and said he didn't mean it. When officers got there he was drunk and holding a bottle of alcohol.
The court heard the woman was left with a lisp for a time because of the injury to her tongue but that resolved. She had her head wound closed at hospital but it left a permanent scar.
She said in a victim impact statement: "I feel embarrassed and ashamed it's happened. I'm nearly 40 and should not be allowing myself to get in these predicaments."
Dodd, who has 123 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding and assault. He was originally charged with wounding with intent and theft but those charges were dropped. He was jailed for two-and-half years and given a restraining order.
Jamie Adams, defending, said Dodd has been recalled on licence to prison on his sentence for the attack on the previous partner and will not be released until 2026. He added that he is sorry and regrets it and said: "He is very aware of the issue he has with drink and knows it's the time to deal with it."
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