A MAN allegedly bit off part of his girlfriend's nose during an attack at her Derry home, the High Court heard today.
She is to undergo reconstructive surgery on the missing section of nostril, a judge was told.
Prosecutors said police found her alleged assailant, Stephen McCarron, hiding under a duvet at his mother's house.
The 34 year-old, of no fixed address in the city, is charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm and breaching a restraining order.
The woman told police in September that McCarron had attacked her while staying at her home the previous month.
"She said he assaulted her by biting off part of her nose, for which she now requires reconstructive surgery," a Crown lawyer said.
Photographs showed a portion of one nostril missing, with a nurse confirming the injury, according to the prosecution.
The woman was said to have delayed reporting the incident because she was undergoing mental health treatment.
Officers arrested McCarron at his mother's address despite being told on arrival that he wasn't there, the court heard.
The prosecutor added: "Police searched the house and found him hiding under a duvet in the bedroom."
Defence counsel Sean Doherty confirmed his client denies biting the woman.
He also argued that she has convictions for violence, and challenged the accuracy of the prosecution case.
But the judge, Sir Richard McLaughlin, pointed out the she did receive treatment before giving a statement of evidence.
Denying bail, Sir Richard added: "Biting type cases such as alleged here...has to be treated extremely seriously."
