Mother jailed for biting woman's nose off in 'shark-like' Butlins attack

The attack happened in front of 450 people, including children

Tina Love arrives at Chichester Crown Court in West Sussex for sentencing after being found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent for biting off another woman's nose at Butlin's in Bognor Regis during a pantomime 2013. (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

A mother has been handed a six-year jail sentence after she bit a chunk out of a woman's nose like a“shark”, during a children’s pantomime.

Tina Love, 28, head-butted mother-of-three Julie McDonald, before she tore off part of her nose during the performance at Butlins – leaving her scarred for life.

As many as 450 people, including children, were watching the “appalling” attack, which was sparked by a “stupid and childish dispute” over seating at Butlins, in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, a court heard.

When Love realised the severity of the attack, she tried to flee the venue, but was stopped by security guards.

Surgeons had to reattach part of Ms McDonald’s nose following the attack in April 2013, Chichester Crown Court heard.

Ms McDonald was due to return home the following morning with her three children, aged between nine and 16.

Love had launched a sustained, shark-like attack, which left Ms McDonald, 47, feeling like she was living a "nightmare" which she "can’t seem to wake up from", according to a victim statement read in court.

Ms McDonald said in the statement that the family had “enjoyed” their stay at Butlins, and were looking forward to the pantomime.

Butlin's where Love tore off McDonadl's nose (Wikimedia Commons/Andy Potter)

Her two young children had gone to the front of the stage to watch the show.

"What happened to me next has devastated me beyond words. The assault on me was unwarranted, unprovoked and has left me scarred for life," she said.

"I was left in the theatre covered in blood with one of my children next to me as I screamed out in shock and pain."

The brutal attack left Ms McDonald with two black eyes and a scar across the top of her nose.

The mother now suffers from sleepless nights, anxiety and fear, she added. She also struggles to breathe, as her nose has become misshapen, and is forced to cover it in sun-screen in all seasons as it reddens.

Love, of Acacia Road, Dartford, Kent, was found guilty of wounding with intent following a trial which ended last month.

She sat in the dock with her head in her hands as the victim impact statement described the toll taken on Ms McDonald.

Love’s defence barrister described her as a “true, caring mother” and said she will lose her local authority home and be separated from her three children, aged eight, five and four.

"What came over her that night we simply don't know. Whatever did happen was totally and completely out of character."

Jailing her, Recorder Mark Milliken-Smith QC said it was a “tragic case” in which everyone had suffered, including Love's own children.

Additional reporting PA