Testicle bite woman Maria Topp faces jail for Newcastle boyfriend attack Published duration 25 October 2011

A mother of four who admitted biting her boyfriend's testicles during a drunken row has been warned she is facing jail.

Maria Topp, 44, from Gateshead, told Newcastle Crown Court she could not remember attacking Martin Douglas at his Newcastle flat on 18 February.

Mr Douglas, a 45-year-old DJ, needed 19 stitches to a wound to his scrotum.

Topp, of Aycliffe Place, Wrekenton, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and will be sentenced on 11 November.

Recorder Robin Mairs warned Topp: "All options are open and that will include locking you up."

The hearing was told how Topp bit Mr Douglas's testicles at his flat in Waterloo Street during the early hours of 18 February.

Caroline Goodwin, defending, told a previous hearing: "The defendant was on her back with the victim straddling her."

'Heavily in drink'

Mr Douglas was so traumatised by his injuries that emergency services staff struggled to understand him when he dialled 999.

Recorder Mairs told the court: "The two had been in a relationship for five years by the time of this offence. There had been difficulties and turbulence in the past.

"They had split up numerous times, getting back together numerous times. On the day in question, there is no doubt they were very heavily in drink.

"There is an argument, a brawl begins during which Mrs Topp admits she unlawfully bit the complainant's scrotum."

Topp had denied causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent on the basis there was violence used on both sides, but admitted the lesser charge of causing GBH.

Gavin Doig, prosecuting, said: "The injured party suffered a number of injuries, but particularly a very serious wound to the scrotum.

"The Crown's contention has always been that that was caused by a bite - the defence's contention was that it was caused by her hands.