A GROUP of young men yesterday denied charges relating to violence during which part of a man's ear was bitten off.
A woman who tried to intervene also suffered a broken toe during the alleged incident in Spennymoor, County Durham, last June.
A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty at Durham Crown Court to a charge of wounding with intent, relating to the man's ear injury.
He also denied joint charges of violent disorder and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Khuram Iftikhar, 22, of Railway Terrace, William Lowrie, 20, of Firth Square, Grant Evans, 20, and James Shickle, 19, both of Pennycross Square, all Sunderland, also denied violent disorder and assault causing actual bodily harm.
A second count of assault, relating to the injured woman, was also denied by Mr Evans.
The case was adjourned until March and all five were given conditional bail.
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