Craig Hewitt, a former soldier from Gateshead, has been jailed for eight years and eight months after biting the ears of two strangers, leaving one victim disfigured for life. The 49-year-old, of Belgrave Court, Felling, carried out the first attack at a BP garage in Lobley Hill, Gateshead, just after midnight on September 13 2022, while already on court bail for a similar offence.
First attack at petrol station
At Newcastle Crown Court, the court heard that Hewitt approached a delivery driver at the garage, accusing him of touching a woman. A verbal exchange led to Hewitt getting into the victim's car and refusing to leave. When the victim tried to pull him out, Hewitt bit his finger with significant force for 10 to 15 seconds. As the victim fell onto Hewitt's chest, Hewitt bit his ear for two to three seconds.
The victim required plastic surgery and his ear had to be reconstructed. He said his physical injuries have healed, but he suffers from fear, anxiety and distress. Recorder Rebecca Brown noted that while the victim had grabbed Hewitt's jaw and tried to put his finger in his eyes, this was after Hewitt had bitten his finger.
Second attack at social club
In December 2025, while still on bail for the first attack, Hewitt struck again at the Thomas Wilson Social Club in Lobley Hill. During a game of 'killer' pool, he acted aggressively towards an opponent, slapping him. When another customer tried to intervene as a peacemaker, Hewitt pushed him back against a snooker table, took him to the floor, and bit part of his ear off. The detached piece was taken to hospital in a bag but could not be reattached, leaving the victim disfigured in a life-changing injury.
Hewitt has 15 previous convictions, including violence in 1996 that led to his dismissal from the army. He was found guilty of two counts of wounding with intent and, along with breaching a suspended prison sentence, was jailed for eight years and eight months.
Representing himself, Hewitt claimed he was acting in lawful self-defence after being attacked. He told the court: 'The only thing in this court I've got respect for is yourself, your honour, the rest is a disgrace, it's a joke. It's not about justice, it's just about lies.' He also said of being remanded: 'I've lived under constant threat but I've managed to transform my life and turn it around. Through adversity I've gained massive strength and I'm in better shape than I've been in my life.'
The court heard he has mental and physical health problems but has made good progress in prison and has asked for professional help.
