Victim speaks out about assault that severed his ear

Julian Meyers, of Hillside Road, contacted the Observer to give his reaction to the end of the trial in January.

He told of the day he was at home watching television on October 20, 2007 when Joseph Elt and his "two mates" came to call.

The 49-year-old was beaten up and left with a smashed cheekbone, broken collar bone, severed right ear, multiple lacerations to his head and arms, and a broken bone in his left hand.

He needed more than 40 stitches for the damage across his face.

Mr Meyers remembers he had settled down in his bedroom to watch the rugby World cup final when he heard Elt and other men who had come into his house.

He said that Elt "stormed in" with Michael Graven, 46, of Bodle Crescent, and Matthew Marchant, 31, of Jacobs Acre, who have already been sentenced for their part in the crime.

Mr Meyers said: "Jo Elt just came in. He didn't say anything. I was watching television in my bedroom.

"Basically I heard him say '“ Let's do it. Next thing I knew he came in the bedroom and battered me. He had obviously been started up elsewhere... it was just a question of who could he beat up."

Mr Meyers said he was knocked out by furniture smashed over his head then was attacked as he lay there.

"I was unconscious throughout most of it so I didn't know what happened.

"He used a knife to cut me up. He did it by himself with the other two present."

Having pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent, Graven received 18 months and Marchant three years and four months.

Elt was on police bail at the time, and following the assault pleaded guilty on August 15, 2008, to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

At Lewes Crown Court on Monday, prosecutor Rob Hall described the attack: "The three decided to set upon Mr Meyers.

"Elt broke his bedside table and used one of the legs to beat him about the head.

"Mr Meyers was on crutches and they used a crutch each to beat him with such force that a rivet was embedded in his hand.

"The top of his right ear was almost completely severed."

Of Elt, Mr Meyers said: "He should be locked away forever. He needs to be under psychiatric care. He is not safe out in public."