Tristan Alexander Everett’s victim lost part of his earlobe in the attack, according to police, but Judge David Robinson, who viewed an image of the injury, told the Dunedin District Court this week that seemed like an understatement.
"From the photo I’m seeing, half the ear is gone," he said.
"He’s permanently disfigured as a consequence of your actions."
Everett, 30, was visiting Stilettos Revue Bar in Princes St on October 7 last year and was taken to task by the victim, who saw him urinating on a pillar outside the establishment.
The defendant responded by yelling about the Mongrel Mob and claiming his parents used to own the building.
While the victim immediately said he did not want to fight, it did not extinguish Everett’s aggression.
After the pair exchanged punches, the defendant put the man in a headlock and grabbed his right ear.
As the victim fell to the ground, the lower part of his ear became detached.
He received 10 stitches in hospital, but the severed portion could not be reconnected.
Counsel Brian Kilkelly said his client had consumed up to 18 beers, followed by whisky, that night.
Everett had no recollection of the events and was reportedly "horrified" by the bloody outcome.
"It was never a matter of ripping the ear out," Mr Kilkelly said.
"It appears to have happened when he had the person in what must’ve been quite an intense headlock."
Just a month later, Everett was in trouble again after police pulled him over in Gordon Rd, Mosgiel.
He blew more than twice the legal breath-alcohol limit and was only three months into a 14-month driving ban at the time, the court heard.
Everett told officers he had driven home from the pub because he did not want to walk.
Mr Kilkelly said his client’s addiction issues had started at the age of 10, when he began using alcohol.
He smoked cannabis at 13 and methamphetamine at 16, but was now committed to sobriety for the sake of his daughter, Mr Kilkelly said.
Judge Robinson accepted reports before the court suggested Everett was serious about changing his life.
On charges of injuring by unlawful act, drink-driving and aggravated disqualified driving, the defendant was sentenced to eight months’ home detention.
He was banned from driving for 28 days with alcohol-interlock provisions to follow.
