Ear-biter sentenced to 5 years in prison

Asim Ibrahim – who bit off a piece of a man’s ear at Masjid al-Thaqwa - has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for the crime.

The 24-year-old man had confessed to the crime during the first hearing in the case.

Criminal Court ruled on Wednesday that Asim had confessed to biting a piece of 53-year old Abdulla Faiz ear off while he had been performing prayer at Masjid al-Taqwa at 9:30 am on March 2, and was therefore proven guilty of bodily harm to another.

Asim bit Faiz’s ear in anger after Fazi refused to give Asim his mobile phone.

Faiz received treatment for his ear both locally and from abroad.

Police had arrested Asim from the mosque – located in Henveiru district of Male’ – moments after the incident.

The charge carries a sentence of three to four years in prison. And the offender is usually issued the lowest penalty if he has confessed to the crime, and if he is a first-time offender.

However, Criminal Court said that Asim was being sentenced to 5 years in prison based on where and how he committed the crime.

The 24-year-old from S. Hithadhoo has a criminal record of robberies and muggings.