A Dundee man left his mother “permanently disfigured” after biting her on the nose after a drunken Boxing Day argument.
Michael Etchells, 31, began arguing with mum Linda about favouritism shown towards his big brother during a festive drinking session.
After leaving her scarred for life, Etchells forced arresting police to press an emergency activation button.
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told Dundee Sheriff Court the incident happened in his parent’s flat and they had all been drinking from the evening to the early hours of the morning.
‘Bit her on the nose’
“Going into the early hours on the following day, they were still within the flat.
“There appeared to be an argument in relation to the accused’s parents and the accused relating to what the accused saw as his parents favouring his older brother.”
A further argument took place about Etchell’s mother’s mental health.
“He then lunged towards his mother and bit her on the nose,” Ms Ritchie said.
“He did this by seizing her body.
“The complainer could feel his teeth sink into her skin and she could feel her nose beginning to bleed.
“She had blood all over her face.
“She was trying to push the accused off. The accused’s father also was trying to help get the accused off at this stage.
“The accused then let go and stated to the complainer that she did it to herself.
“The accused’s father then telephoned police.”
Police attend
Two female officers arrived at the flat at around 3.20am and could hear a disturbance straight away.
When they entered, Mrs Etchells was on the sofa with visible injuries.
Etchells entered and began shouting and swearing, saying he wouldn’t go down easily.
The officers had to activate an emergency button to call for support.
They restrained Etchells before arresting him.
He appeared from custody at Dundee Sheriff Court on December 29 2020 and was remanded.
On Tuesday, Etchells was brought from HMP Perth to plead guilty to the Canning Street assault and acting threateningly towards police.
His solicitor James Laverty acknowledged a prison sentence would be “inevitable”.
Sheriff Paul Brown ordered reports ahead of sentencing.
Etchells is due back in court on October 17.
Previous convictions
Last year, Etchells was given a 22-month prison sentence after he armed himself and confronted men who called him a “beast” and accused him of being a child sex offender outside his home.
Fuming Etchells brandished a hammer and a knife before shouting: “Come on then. You came to my door, you want a square go?”
He began swinging the weapons at the men but was struck on the head with a pole, causing it to bleed.
In 2020, Vallium-fuelled Etchells tried to break into a car with a wooden post, causing an estimated £1,000 of damage.
He told the owner of the car “I’m going” after he was caught hitting the vehicle with the implement at the car park of the District 10 office complex on Greenmarket.
For this, he received a four month jail sentence.
Another five month prison sentence was handed to Etchells after he admitted repeatedly punching a man on the head at Dunmore Street in 2016.
In 2013, Etchells admitted phoning police to warn them he was about to attack a friend, because an anger management therapist had told him to talk to someone if he felt violent.
