UPDATE: |He started drinking brandy at 10am then bit his step-dad’s nose off News

Joseph Cardwell left his mum’s fiancé horribly disfigured

A thug who behaved like a “dog with a bone” when he bit his step-father’s nose off in a Christmas day row has been sent to jail. Joseph Cardwell attacked his mother’s fiancé after he was placed into a bear hug when during an argument that had turned physical.

Cardwell had not taken kindly to being restrained and ripped his victim’s nose off with his teeth before spitting it on the floor. One woman was left in tears as the 23-year-old was sent to prison today (March 22).

A trial at Liverpool Crown Court previously heard that Cardwell, of Ambleside Drive in Kirkby, and William Darwin were among a number of family members who spent December 25 2023 together, the defendant’s mum having been in a relationship with the complainant for around two-and-a-half years before becoming engaged to him earlier the same month.

The ECHO reports that Cardwell was said to have started drinking brandy from 10am onwards before having Christmas dinner at his grandparents’ home. But Olivia Beesley, prosecuting, described how Cardwell and his step-father went on to have a “disagreement” during the course of the evening, apparently sparked after Mr Darwin made a remark about his step-son’s girlfriend attending the gym.

He “began to walk away” following a confrontation in the conservatory before his attacker slammed the door shut and pulled at his shoulder, with a scuffling ensuing and the older of the two males placing the younger in a bear hug.

Cardwell then responded biting a chunk of his victim’s nose off and spitting it out. Mr Darwin has since undergone five operations as a result of the injury, with three further rounds of surgery still outstanding.

His assailant subsequently claimed to have been acting in self-defence during the incident, alleging that the complainant had “snapped”, pinned him by the throat against a door and caused him to begin losing consciousness. Cardwell has no previous convictions.

Sarah Holt, defending, told the court on Tuesday: “Mr Cardwell very much regrets this incident and deeply regrets the injury caused to Mr Darwin. Since his arrest, he has been extremely fearful at the outcome of this case.

“This was a very unusual incident which appears to have come out of, quite frankly, nothing at all. While alcohol appears to have been taken, it does not appear to be the reason for his offending behaviour.

“This was an incredibly quick incident. There has been no history between Mr Cardwell and Mr Darwin. Mr Cardwell describes how well he got on with Mr Darwin and how much he liked him. There was no premeditation in this case, no planning and certainly no intention to cause really serious harm.

“He is someone in full time employment. Over the last four years, he has been studying at night to pursue his dream career of becoming a gas engineer. He is still waiting for the completion of that gas engineering qualification. That, now, may well be in jeopardy.

“There are a lot of positive aspects to Joseph Cardwell’s character. There are a number of references. They speak volumes as to the young man he is and how this was very much out of character and very much an isolated incident.”

Cardwell was cleared of wounding with intent by a jury but convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm. Appearing in the dock wearing a blue suit over a white shirt and red tie, he was jailed for 21 months and handed a five-year restraining order.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “Until this particular incident, the two of you had got on extremely well, it seems. An incident, it seems, arose out of a remark which was not intended to be insulting or cause upset, but it seems that it did.

“You overreacted to it. That, I am satisfied, is down to the fact that you had been drinking. You chose to confront Mr Darwin and you became a bit like a dog with a bone. You were not prepared to let it go.

“The ripples that have spread out from this have caused an impact to all sorts of individuals. It really has impacted on his confidence, and the memories of this are never far from his mind. He has no control over whether they return and in what shape or form.”

One of his supporters in the public gallery was seen in tears as she left the courtroom. Merseyside Police’s Detective Inspector Darren Hankin said following the sentencing: “This was a vicious and shocking display of violence by Joseph Cardwell, and today he has been punished in the courts and is now behind bars. The incident quickly escalated from what was initially a verbal exchange of words that turned physical.

“The victim was left with facial injuries resulting in him having to go to hospital for treatment and ultimately having plastic surgery to try and correct the extensive damage. I hope Cardwell now uses the time in jail to reflect on his behaviour and the significant impact it has had on the victim.”