Sickening | 

Man gave a ‘victory roar’ after biting off part of a grandfather’s nose

Today at 06:29

A father-of-four who bit part of a man’s nose off then issued a “victory roar” has been handed a sentence totalling 12 and a half years.

After attacking the Belfast man in front of his grandchild, Gerard Devlin then fled the scene, armed himself with two knives and had to be Tasered by police.

Deemed as a ‘dangerous offender’ by both the Probation Board and Judge Peter Irvine, Devlin (33) was handed an ‘extended custodial sentence’ comprising of nine-and-a-half years in prison followed by an extended licence period of three years.

Devlin – whose father Gerard senior was killed in the Ballymurphy area of Belfast in March 2006 – initially denied charges of wounding with intent and the attempted theft of a mobile phone.

As he imposed the sentence at Belfast Crown Court, the judge branded the incident a “totally unprovoked assault” and a “vicious, violent and disgusting act.”

Prior to this, Judge Irvine heard submissions from both the Crown and defence.

Prosecuting barrister David Russell said that around 11am on August 6, 2021 police received a report that Devlin was “kicking off in Ballymurphy.”

Around 10 minutes later, the wife of the injured party was in a garden outside a property on Glenalina Road when she witnessed Devlin and another man arguing.

The injured party’s wife was holding her 17-month-old grandchild in her arms in the garden when she heard him call her a ‘w****.’

As her husband was returning from the shops, Devlin jumped over a garden wall and approached the woman.

After she said, ‘Gerard I have the child in my hands’, Devlin turned his attention to her husband.

Devlin, with an address as HMP Maghaberry, then punched the injured party in the head, which stunned him, put his fingers in the injured party’s eye then bit part of his nose off.

Mr Russell said that following this, Devlin gave a “victory roar” then issued a threat to an onlooker by saying ‘do you want the face ate off you like he got?’

After fleeing the scene, Devlin made his way to a property on Whitecliff Parade and was located by the householders covered in blood and sitting with his head in his hands.

He tried to snatch her mobile phone then put her in a headlock before letting her go.

He then walked to a relative’s house at nearby Ballymurphy Road where, Mr Russell said, he “became involved in a stand-off with police which lasted about an hour and a quarter.”

Armed with two knifes, at one stage Devlin approached police and he also threw plant pots at officers during the stand-off.

Armed response units were called and Devlin was cornered in a bedroom. A Taser was deployed and when Devlin was arrested, his aggression continued.

During interview, he gave a ‘no comment’ response – but pleaded guilty earlier this year to both charges.

Regarding the injured party, Mr Russell revealed the grandfather lost a large portion of his nose in the “unprovoked” attack and has been left permanently and significantly disfigured.

Around 50% of his nasal septum is now missing which has left a large void, he has difficulty breathing and now suffers nightmares and flashbacks.

The prosecutor said the incident has also had a lasting “social impact” upon him and his family as well as a “significant psychological impact.”

Mr Russell added the attack was committed in daylight, in a public place where children were present and there was “significant aggression … both before and after the offending.”

The court heard that Devlin carried out the attack following a drink and drugs binge during which crack cocaine and other substances were consumed along with vodka and Buckfast.

Defence barrister Charles MacCreanor KC referred to his client’s “chronic” drug addiction which he said was linked to childhood trauma.

Telling Judge Irvine there was “no bad blood” between Devlin and the injured party, Mr MacCreanor said Devlin has expressed genuine remorse for what he did – and wishes to apologise to the injured party.

Mr MacCreanor that on the morning in question Devlin was “in a state of intoxicated turmoil” but was now addressing his addiction issues in prison.

After listening to both barristers, Judge Irvine addressed Devlin and said: “This was a totally unprovoked attack.

“It was a vicious, violent and disgusting act on your part on a totally innocent man, resulting in dreadful consequences for him.

“Your behaviour both before and after the assault was also appalling.”

The Judge also told Devlin he had “undoubtedly” experienced trauma in his childhood, including the murder of his father – but also noted he started then failed to continue trauma counselling sessions.

Judge Irvine said as Devlin was deemed as ‘dangerous’ the extended custodial sentence was necessary to protect the public.

Due to this status, Devlin will not be automatically eligible for release after serving half his sentence as this will be determined by the Parole Commissioners.

As he was being led from the dock, Devlin said “Can I say something.” He was told he couldn’t by Judge Irvine – but despite this, he shouted: “Nine years in jail? A person murdered my father and you gave him less.