Briton, 50, accused of biting off part of another British tourist’s nose during huge brawl at Austrian ski resort, faces 10 years in prison if found guilty
- The suspect was released on Monday and will be tried in Tyrol, according to a report
The Briton accused of gnawing off part of another British tourist’s nose during a brawl at an Austrian ski resort could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, according to a report.
The fight broke out in the seaside town of St Anton on the evening of February 4, starting in a bar but ending in the street, where punches and kicks were thrown and eventually the biting took place.
After the brawl ended, the victim of the attack, a 29-year-old man, was taken to hospital, while the attackers fled to the nearby pedestrian area of St. Anton am Arlberg.
Days later, the alleged attacker was arrested following a police investigation and taken to Innsbruck prison.
The suspect was released on Monday ORF Tyrol reports.
The fight broke out in the seaside town of St. Anton on the evening of February 4, starting in a bar but ending on the street, where punches and kicks were thrown and eventually the biting took place (Stock Image)
The Public Prosecution Service has now filed charges against him, but according to the publication, they are not yet legally binding.
After the suspect was located and arrested, he was sentenced to pre-trial detention.
His lawyer Mathias Holzmann filed a complaint against this. The higher regional court upheld the appeal and he was released, reports ORF Tirol.
The 50-year-old has now returned to Britain with his family and will be tried in Tyrol, the lawyer told the publication.
The Brit has been charged with intentional infliction of serious bodily harm and the charge is partly based on a surveillance video showing the crime, ORF Tirol reports.
During the investigation, the suspect denied the allegations or claimed he was only defending himself, the release said.
His lawyer told ORF that the client would comment on this during his trial.
The victim required surgery after the violent incident. He underwent plastic surgery, including a skin flap transplant, the Public Prosecution Service said.
A police spokesman said after the suspect was arrested earlier this month: ‘Based on extensive investigations and tips from the public, three British holidaymakers – aged 50, 50 and 67 – have been identified as the perpetrators.
‘The 50-year-old main perpetrator was arrested on the orders of the Innsbruck Public Prosecutor’s Office and taken to Innsbruck Prison.’
The seaside resort of St Anton is known for its wild party life and fights are not uncommon.
The case comes as skiers face the consequences of a mild winter that has left many slopes completely snowless.