A woman will need plastic surgery to reconstruct her ear after her boyfriend allegedly bit part of it off following an argument in their Mount Warrigal home on the weekend.
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Tristan James Kent, 29, was refused bail in Wollongong Local Court on Monday charged with two counts of choking his partner of one year, assaulting her, recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and having a prohibited firearm.
In documents tendered to court, police allege the couple were drinking at a neighbour's house with friends on Saturday before they returned home about 9pm after Kent made an inappropriate joke.
Whilst the alleged victim was packing her belongings, the argument escalated and Kent is accused of grabbing her throat with both hands and forcing her onto the lounge.
He also allegedly bit her right forearm causing distinct red marks and bruising.
Kent, who is a semi-professional rally car driver, let go but then is accused of smashing her phone on the ground before leaving and returning to his neighbour's house.
Upon returning home about 12am, Kent and his girlfriend started arguing again and allegedly grabbed her from behind and held her in a choke hold.
The pair fell to the floor and violently struggled causing her to become dizzy and struggle to breathe.
Police allege the girlfriend panicked and bit Kent on his lower arm to try to get him to release her.
That's when Kent allegedly bit the right ear of his girlfriend causing a part of it to come off and split towards the top.
The girlfriend told police she felt immediate and extreme pain and screamed "call an ambulance", prompting Kent to release her and leave the house.
However, in court on Monday, Kent's lawyer Jordan Mechan said his client claimed he 'nipped' her ear in an attempt to get her to release her grip on his genitals.
He denies the allegations, later admitting to police that he damaged her phone but did not recall choking her.
The alleged victim drove herself to Shellharbour Hospital where she was treated for her ear and bruising to her back, left arm and neck. She will need plastic surgery to reconstruct her ear.
Police were called and arrested Kent. Officers conducted a search warrant of the home where they found and seized a black Airsoft pistol and a large amount of ammunition. Police facts reveal Kent does not have a licence to possess the firearm.
The court was told Kent had purchased the pistol through online shopping site 'Wish' for $2, and it did not work.
Kent, who was sporting a black eye, was refused bail by Magistrate Michael Stoddart as the accused was already on a community service order for an unrelated domestic violence offence.
"Mr Kent has a limited record but these are very serious allegations and if he's convicted it seems to me the likely result will be a custodial sentence," Magistrate Stoddart said.
He also said no conditions could mitigate the risk to the victim's safety or that Kent would not commit further offences.
On hearing the outcome, Kent broke down in tears.
The case will return to Wollongong Local Court on January 21.
