Neighbour from hell left Briton needing stitches after taking bite from face during savage attack
Danielle Ashcroft was attacked by Kerry Trainer (pictured) in Bensham, Gateshead, last August
Northumbria Police
A woman has branded her neighbour an "animal" after she bite her face during a disagreement outside the attacker's home.
Danielle Ashcroft was attacked by Kerry Trainer in Bensham, Gateshead, last August after an angry confrontation.
Trainer grabbed Ashcroft with both her hands and pulled her face towards her.
The pair fell to the floor and Trainer bit her victim's face and ear, the court heard.
The neighbours fell to the floor and Trainer bit her victim's face and ear, the court heard
PAAshcroft's husband, Miles attempted to break up the fight but could not stop the attacker pulling chunks out of his wife's hair.
She needed 10 stitches after being left with a torn flap and permanent scarring.
The court was told she also required plastic surgery to fix the damage to her face.
Discussing her ordeal, she said: "She pulled me into her face and she had me by the roots. I could feel her breath on my face. It felt like she was biting through a bit of gristle.
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"I couldn't feel any pain, I think it must have been the adrenaline at the time. Her teeth went right the way through which caused a flap. She bit down really hard.
"My husband took me home and I went straight to the mirror. There was a gaping hole in my face. It was just like a massive flap. I was really, really shocked. I never thought she would do anything like this. It's low - it's like being an animal really."
After being arrested, Trainer claimed she acted in self-defence and Ashcroft was the aggressor.
However, she later admitted unlawful wounding and was sentenced to 12 months behind bars and hit with a restraining order.
The victim needed 10 stitches after being left with a torn flap and permanent scarring
PAThe victim said she felt unable to leave her home after the attack, which significantly impacted her mental health.
She said: "I was like a hermit in my own house. I wouldn't leave because I was too scared. I couldn't go outside for three or four months. I've had six telephone counselling sessions.
"I wouldn't put my hair up and I wouldn't put on make-up. I didn't feel myself. It was absolutely draining and I was in so much pain with my scar. I have had to have plastic surgery since then. It looks a lot better than it was."