**Man’s Ear Horrifically Sliced in Nightclub Assault After Jealous Outburst**
A Newport nightclub was the scene of a violent attack earlier this year, where a man’s ear was split in two during an eruption of jealousy. CCTV footage presented before Newport Crown Court revealed the moment a man, incensed by perceived flirtation, lunged at another guest and struck him with a glass, causing a severe injury.
The assailant, Beau Lyons, aged 27, travelled from his home in Saltney Ferry, Flintshire, to Newport on 28 March with his girlfriend, Shaunnia Connolly, and her friend. The trio intended to celebrate a birthday in what began as a jovial evening that included a meal, checking into a hotel, and embarking on a short bar crawl through the city. However, the night took a disastrous turn at Mojo’s nightclub at around 11pm.
During proceedings at Newport Crown Court, it was revealed that Ms Connolly and Mr Lyons had experienced a minor disagreement upon entering Mojo’s. Ms Connolly was seen dancing while Lyons spoke to a friend near the bar. Shane Edwards, who was at the club with a friend, approached Ms Connolly, bought her a drink, and joined her on the dance floor. Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir told the court that this simple interaction set in motion a chain of events that ultimately left Mr Edwards seriously injured.
According to the CCTV footage shown in court, Lyons witnessed Mr Edwards speaking with Ms Connolly and became overwhelmed by jealousy. The video captured the moment Lyons suddenly hurled himself across the venue, grabbed a glass, and smashed it into the side of Mr Edwards’ head. The brutal attack did not stop there: Lyons seized Edwards and forcefully threw him into a nearby table before continuing the assault.
Club security quickly intervened and ejected Lyons from the premises. He attempted to escape the area and made his way towards Bridge Street, but his efforts to evade police were unsuccessful. Officers detained and arrested Lyons shortly after the incident.
The consequences of the attack were severe. Mr Edwards was rushed to Grange University Hospital where medical staff discovered a five-centimetre wound had cut through his left ear, extending towards the base of his skull. The glass had sliced through the skin and cartilage, leaving the lower part of his ear almost completely severed. Judge Eugene Egan, upon reviewing photographic evidence of the wounds, remarked that the injury amounted to the lower section of the ear being “sliced away”, indicating the extent of the damage.
Lyons, upon interview following his arrest, admitted to the attack but stated he could not recall the specifics of his actions that night. He expressed remorse for what had occurred, telling authorities that he was sorry for the harm he had caused. However, this expression of regret did little to change the gravity of the offence.
Having previously enjoyed a clean criminal record, Lyons pleaded guilty to charges of wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. These pleas were taken into account during sentencing, but the court ultimately imposed a prison term of three years, reflecting both the seriousness of the violence inflicted and the traumatic consequences for the victim.
Cases like this serve as a stark reminder of the potential for alcohol-fuelled emotions to escalate into life-altering consequences. Nightclubs, intended as places of celebration and social interaction, can all too quickly become settings for tragedy when tempers flare. Local authorities and the community at large continue to emphasise the importance of personal responsibility and non-violence during nights out.
For Mr Edwards, the physical and psychological scars will long outlast the criminal case, underlining the far-reaching and deeply personal impact that a moment’s rage can inflict. The court proceedings have also prompted calls for enhanced security measures and interventions at nightlife venues to prevent similar acts in the future.