Pub under review after man has ear bitten off

A criminal investigation into the alleged assault was dropped due to a lack of evidence

A pub is under review after a man had part of his ear bitten off during an altercation.

A criminal investigation into the alleged assault on 11 May at The Chequers pub, on Rayleigh Road, Brentwood, Essex, was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

However, Essex Police has applied to a council to review the pub's licence following an incident last year at the same venue.

The Chequers pub was approached for comment.

In a report to Brentwood Borough Council, Essex Police said it had investigated an altercation in which a man who had been asked to leave the pub allegedly lost part of his ear.

The man told police that on 11 May another man had approached him, grabbed his face and bitten him leading to a large piece of the ear being ripped off.

Another account of the incident suggested a man was asked to leave the pub three times after being accused of harassing and touching women.

He refused and became aggressive, and allegedly tried to headbutt another person.

As he pulled his head back again his ear was bitten to stop him headbutting again, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Pattern of concern'

Essex Police said it could not fully investigate the altercation as CCTV footage from inside the pub was not available due to a "system failure" or "data being deleted".

A statement to the council written by police said: "Whilst the criminal investigation has been closed, given the nature of the injury and the poor management of the premises - particularly in relation to the CCTV and how ejections are handled by the premises - the disorder element of the licensing objective and potentially the crime element have both been undermined."

Police said the incident on 11 May, and another alleged assault by staff at the premises last year, showed "a pattern of concern".

On 25 November, a male member of staff allegedly restrained a woman in the toilets by twisting her arm behind her back and forcing her against the wall.

He then reportedly removed her from the pub while also pulling her hair.

Police requested the pub's CCTV but were told by a staff member that they had not kept the recording.

A police statement added: "Both of these incidents have involved allegations of violence by members of staff on members of the public with CCTV failing to be provided to police.

"Both show a pattern of concern and undermining of the licensing objectives."

Representations made to the council must be received no later than 26 August.