'I lost everything after murderer bit my ear off'
Kyle Bowers, from Doncaster, said he was still struggling after the attack
- Published
A hospital worker says he has been "scarred for life" after having his ear bitten off by a man serving time for murder.
Liam Burke, 26, was given a life sentence for a murder in 2015, and was later referred to high-security Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire for treatment.
He attacked Kyle Bowers from behind whilst in Rampton on 5 June 2023, punching him and biting part of his ear off, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
On Friday, appearing via video link from HMP Frankland, near Durham, Burke was sentenced to four months for causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Bowers - a term which will run consecutively to a 10-year minimum imposed for the murder.
During his life sentence for murder, Liam Burke was transferred to Rampton Hospital
Speaking to the BBC outside court, Mr Bowers said his attacker's sentence was "nothing compared to a lifetime of suffering".
The 24-year-old, from Doncaster, watched Burke being sentenced, and said: "He's left a noticeable scar, now for life, a deformity.
"It's left me permanently scarred for life, physically and mentally. And he's got an extra four months, which is nothing on his time.
"It's nothing compared to a lifetime of suffering."
He said he was still receiving therapy following the "random attack", which left him with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
'I'm struggling'
The court was told when staff had asked Burke where the ear was, he replied: "It's down in the toilet. I'll come and help you if you like."
He pleaded guilty to the offence at the first opportunity, the court heard.
The sentence also means Burke will not be eligible for parole for a further two months.
Mr Bowers said he had now "closed the chapter", but added: "I'm struggling a lot. I'm struggling to sleep, struggling to do day-to-day things. I can't go out there because of the fear of being attacked again."
He underwent surgery for his ear, and said he had not returned to the hospital since.
"I've lost my career [because of this], and it's just not nice," he added.
"There's more to it than just losing part of my ear. I've lost everything."
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