Bite attack at party leaves woman partly deaf

A woman has been left partly deaf by a violent attack. Photo / Getty images

A woman has been left partly deaf by a violent attack in which she was bitten so hard her lower lip and one ear were nearly torn off.

Lorraine Cassidy, a 47-year-old preschool teacher, was at a birthday party in Northland when she was attacked.

Glenis Ngaire Tito, of no fixed abode, was arrested in Auckland last week in relation to the attack and appeared in North Shore District Court. She is on bail.

It is alleged the 38-year-old Tito grabbed Ms Cassidy and pinned her to the ground before biting her so hard on the lower lip that it was torn from her face and left hanging by a small strip of skin.

The solo mother then allegedly moved to Ms Cassidy's ear, again biting on it so hard that it ripped in half, causing the victim's eardrum to rupture.

The Herald understands the attack, early on July 16, stopped only when Tito's partner pulled her away.

Although it is not clear what prompted the violence, it is believed Tito was dating a man who had gone out with, and fathered a child with, one of Ms Cassidy's relatives.

Tito has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

She also faces one charge of possessing a glass methamphetamine pipe, in relation to an incident last week.

It is understood Ms Cassidy, who also had her hair pulled and was left with a bite mark on her forehead, was taken to hospital after the attack.

She required numerous stitches to reattach her lip and fix her ear, but has reportedly lost the hearing in it.