Victim bitten on face

Drug-addled teenager runs amok at Australia Day party

A TEENAGER bit a man’s face during a rampage at an Australia Day party in Breakwater, a court heard yesterday.

The victim was one of several people who tried to stop Maxwell Harrison, 19, from running amok at the lunch gathering, Geelong trates’ Court was told.

But Harrison, fuelled by alcohol and marijuana, was “highly agitated and aggressive”, and was subdued only when police used capsicum spray and handcuffed him.

During his rampage Harrison pushed one man’s head through a plaster wall, jumped Magis- on to the roof of a car, kicked and punched people who tried to settle him and spat blood at police.

One of the victims also tendered a statement to court, saying the defendant bit him twice on the face.

Magistrate Gregory McNamara described the teenager’s behaviour as out- rageous and nasty, indicating his clean criminal record and genuine remorse helped him avoid a jail term.

“Such a serious thing you did, biting somebody on the face,” the magistrate said.

“Every time he (the victim) has a shave or looks in the mirror he’ll probably think about that.

“I hope you never drink again.”

Mr McNamara noted the bitten man needed facial surgery, also suffered a broken nose, and spent a night in hospital and missed a week of work.

Harrison, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury, and two each of criminal damage and resisting police.

Mr McNamara ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work over the next year as part of a community corrections order.

He also ordered him to pay $412 compensation to one of his victims and provide a forensic saliva swab to police.