UPDATE: Violent incident at Scarborough casino on 18 December 2021

At York Crown Court on Wednesday (28 February 2024), court proceedings relating to a violent incident at the Opera House Casino in Scarborough on 18 December 2021 were brought to a conclusion.

Craig Andrew Smythe, 36, of Glacier Lane, Eastfield, Scarborough, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after previously pleading guilty to affray and section 20 wounding without intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The victim of the affray was Christopher Bowes, 52, Trafalgar Square, Scarborough, who had bitten part of Smythe’s left ear off.

In retaliation, Smythe threw a drinking glass at Bowes’ head causing a serious cut.

Bowes was jailed for five years on 1 December last year after being found guilty of section 18 wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The victim of the wounding without intent was an innocent bystander, a local woman who was aged 19 at the time.

A piece of the shattered glass pierced her padded jacket and caused a deep cut in her upper arm.

All three required emergency hospital treatment for their injuries.

Victim Personal Statement from the innocent bystander who we are not naming:

“I have not been inside the casino since, it was a massive shock. I never thought anything like this would happen to me. I don’t like going out socially and don’t like noisy, boisterous places.

“I was allergic to the stitches that were put in my arm, so I now have a permanent mark. On holiday in August last year, I was conscious and had to cover my scar.

“I am very nervous around people who are arguing or being aggressive. I was not involved in this argument but still got injured.

“This is something which just shows you can be in the wrong place.”

Detective Steve Monty, of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, added:

“My thoughts go to the innocent young woman who was caught in the crossfire of this incident.

“To end up in hospital and having to attend court as a victim and witness is awful. All she was doing was have a pre-Christmas night out with her friends.

“I hope she can begin to put this terrible experience behind her and start to enjoy her life again.”

 

 

Issued on 1 December 2023, 6.31pm

Scarborough: Man jailed for five years for “horrific” ear-biting incident at casino

He was glassed by the victim and an innocent bystander suffered a cut arm from flying glass

A man involved in a violent confrontation at a Scarborough casino has been jailed for five years.

The incident happened in the smoking area of the Opera House Casino on St Thomas Street at around 5.30am on Saturday 18 December 2021.

Christopher Bowes (pictured below), 52, Trafalgar Square, Scarborough, was sentenced at York Crown Court today, Friday 1 December 2023.

 

 

Following a retrial, he was found guilty on 23 November 2023 of section 18 wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

His victim was Craig Andrew Smythe, 36, from Eastfield, Scarborough, who had part of his left ear bitten off by Bowes.

In retaliation, Smythe threw his drinking glass at Bowes’ head causing a serious cut.

A piece of the shattered glass struck the arm of an innocent bystander, a local woman who was aged 19 at the time.

All three required emergency hospital treatment for their injuries.

Bowes and Smythe were arrested and released on conditional bail as Scarborough and Ryedale CID progressed the investigation.

While Bowes pleaded not guilty to the charge which he later contested at court, Smythe pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to affray and section 20 wounding without intent to cause grievous bodily harm to the innocent bystander.  

Smythe is due to sentenced on 8 January 2024.

Victim personal statement

Smythe said he was offered plastic surgery to rebuild his damaged ear, but he said this was not progressed due to issues caused by the pandemic.

He added: “I was unable to sleep properly for over three months as it was on the side I sleep. Since this happened, I now wear a woolly hat to cover up that ear. This is even in the summertime.

“I have only been out into town one since this incident as it has made me wary.

“I lost weight and was unable to work for several months. I still get pain in that ear due to the nerve endings. It causes pain and discomfort.”

Detective Constable Steve Monty, of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said:

“The level of violence displayed in this incident was truly horrific. It more like a scene from a Quentin Tarantino movie than what you would expect in a licenced premise in Scarborough.

“Such violence cannot be tolerated, and Bowes has been suitably punished by the court for what he has done.

“Smythe will be dealt with next month for his part in the incident. He has been left permanently disfigured by Bowes which is horrendous.

“But there is also an innocent young woman who lives with a scar on her arm and remains frightened to go out socially because of what happened that night.”