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Man who bit his ex-girlfriend's ear during violent attack sentenced to four years

Summary

Robert Melia, 32, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the last 18 months suspended, for a sustained violent attack on his ex‑girlfriend Elizabeth Clifford, then 25, on 29 June 2012. Melia pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The assault began when he entered Clifford's home at 1 a.m., after she had let him use the bathroom. He verbally abused her, struck her on the side of the head, threatened her with death, and then bit her right ear, attempting to bite it off. Clifford suffered a broken ear and required stitches and plastic surgery. Melia had four prior convictions for firearms possession, trespass, burglary and public order. He was arrested at the scene after being restrained by local people. The judge described the attack as violent and serious, noting Clifford's fear of being killed or seriously injured. The suspended portion of the sentence is contingent on 18 months of probation supervision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who bit his ex-girlfriend's ear during violent attack sentenced to four years. Charges or matters: assaulting Elizabeth Clifford (then 25) causing her harm on June 29, 2012; an offence he had no recollection of committing and was spending his social welfare money on alcohol at the time. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 29, 2012 Incident
• 2008 and 2010 Incident
• 2014-11-03 Publication

Why: She allowed him to use the bathroom but asked him to leave when he was done because she knew he had been drinking. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report