Hull doorman's ear bitten off in horrifying pub attack

A HULL doorman has spoken of the horrifying moment part of his ear was bitten off in a pub attack.

Reza Qanbery, 28, was working on the doors of the Old Zoological in Princes Avenue, west Hull, when he claims a customer became aggressive and bit his ear.

He may now have to undergo plastic surgery.

Mr Qanbery said the offender scratched at his eye and looked like "a wild animal" during the vicious assault.

"He put his finger in my left eye, scratched my right eye and then bit my right ear off," said Mr Qanbery, whose partner is expecting his first child this summer.

"Blood was flowing out, it was everywhere.

"He even managed to bite through the plastic earpieces we wear to radio each other."

Mr Qanbery, who lives in west Hull, was on the doors of the pub with friend and colleague Darren Hopper on the night of the assault.

Mr Hopper, 37, said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw what had happened. There was blood everywhere."

The two doormen were working on Friday, December 28, when the attack happened.

As it was the period between Christmas and New Year's Eve, the men said the pub was quieter than during a normal Friday.

Mr Qanbery said he was radioed to go inside the pub when one of the customers started shouting at a barmaid.

Mr Qanbery, who is taking a list of strong painkillers while he awaits an operation, said: "It was about 9.55pm and it wasn't that busy at all.

"I was radioed to come inside and there was a man standing there shouting and swearing at a girl behind the bar.

"He said he was upset because he expected a band to be on.

"He said he had come a long way, so he wanted a refund for his taxi.

"He was getting aggressive and abusive and he was swearing."

Iranian Mr Qanbery said when he entered the bar, the man swore at him.

"Then he grabbed me by the throat with his hands," said Mr Qanbery.

"I managed to put him on the floor and that is when he scratched and bit me.

"He bit my ear and then spat it out onto the floor.

"He was raging and looked like a wild animal."

Mr Qanbery managed to continue to pin the man on the floor, while Mr Hopper and an ambulance were called.

Mr Hopper said: "I went in and saw everything and just thought 'no way'. I could see the piece of ear on the floor."

Mr Qanbery was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where his ear was stitched back together.

However, doctors have told him there is only a 5 per cent chance it will "take" and heal properly.

He is due to return to hospital today to find out if he will need plastic surgery to replace the piece of ear.

Mr Qanbery, who turned 28 on New Year's Eve, said: "I haven't been out since, apart from to go to hospital.

"My GP said I'm at risk of infecting it, but I am scared of people coming close and touching it.

"I haven't lost my hearing, but it constantly feels like there is water in my ear. I've also been feeling dizzy.

"It has completely ruined my Christmas and new year.

"I was due to go out and celebrate this some friends, but I've been staying in ever since it happened."

Mr Qanbery came to England in 2002.

He is a former wrestler and used to teach children at a gym in west Hull.

He stopped wrestling when he injured his back in 2005.

Mr Hopper said: "He is a good guy who has taught children and helped in his community.

"I can't believe this would happened to someone like him."

A man has been arrested and charged with section 18 wounding with intent.