Merseyside wedding guest has part of ear bitten off in brawl

Oct 2 2012 by Kate Forrester, Liverpool Echo

A MERSEYSIDE wedding reception ended in a brawl in which a guest got part of his ear bitten off.

The 40-year-old, from Moreton, in Wirral, had to be taken to hospital after the savage attack outside the Ridger pub, in West Kirby.

Merseyside police were called to the venue just before 11.30pm on Saturday and arrested two men on suspicion of wounding with intent.

A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said: “We heard the commotion from inside the house and looked out of the window.

“There was a massive brawl which spilled halfway down the street. It was like a fight at the OK Corral – complete chaos. There were about 14 police cars and the pub got sealed off until about Sunday lunchtime.

“It’s a real shame because this area is usually so quiet. The people who have taken over the pub have tried their best to make it as good as it can be and we’ve never had any trouble there before.”

Other witnesses said they saw the distressed bride in the street in tears, but the newlyweds were not thought to have been directly involved in the incident.

A police spokeswoman said: “We were called to a report of a disturbance at a wedding function at the Ridger pub.

“On arrival, officers discovered a 40-year-old man with an injury to his ear.

“He was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital but has now been discharged.

“A 23-year-old man from Prenton and a 21-year-old man from West Kirby were arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault. They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.”

A spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to the scene at 11.18pm and treated two “walking wounded” patients.

Scott Griffiths, landlord at the Ridger, said the incident happened outside the pub premises.

He added: “We would just like to apologise to the residents nearby for the disturbance.”

Call Wirral CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.