Police charge cyclist after Sydney man’s finger bitten off in Campsie

Police will allege a cyclist became so angry with a man who opened a car door he attacked him with an axe before biting off his finger.

An axe-wielding cyclist who allegedly bit through the bone of a man’s finger before spitting it out onto the floor of a supermarket carpark during a “bizarre” confrontation will remain behind bars.

Bradley Richard Howard, 51, sported two black eyes and a broken nose in Burwood Local Court on Tuesday as he was denied bail.

The court heard details of how a dispute over a car door escalated into a violent attack at Campsie in Sydney’s southwest on Sunday afternoon.

Howard, from Campsie, is facing five charges including causing grievous bodily harm with intent and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The court heard that during the melee, local barber Mohamed Ali Al Khulaifawi had bone, skin and nail removed when his fingertip was allegedly bitten off by Howard.

Bradley Howard, a cyclist who allegedly bit off a man’s finger during a confrontation at Campsie, arrives at Burwood Court House. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

Howard is facing a maximum possible jail term of 25 years if found guilty. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

Magistrate Lisa Stapleton described Howard’s alleged actions as “disproportionate” and “extreme” before denying his bail application.

The court heard how the pair were involved in a verbal altercation after Howard was nearly knocked from his bicycle following Mr Al Khulaifawi opening his car door on Beamish Street.

After leaving, Howard returned five minutes later and was told: “Just go away otherwise we’ll call the police”.

“Call the police then,” it is alleged he responded.

The court heard he then produced two large axes from his bag and held them above his head, with the incident witnessed by several people and captured on mobile phone footage.

Fearing for the safety of the community, Mr Al Khulaifawi and two relatives then followed Howard to a nearby Woolworths parking lot where they tackled him to the ground.

“This gentlemen bravely approached the accused and tackled him to the ground while another took the bag containing the axes,” Ms Stapleton said.

As they attempted to apprehend Howard, he allegedly struck out at Mr Al Khulaifawi and bit off the tip of his finger.

Officers later found the finger tip in the supermarket carpark and Mr Al Khulaifawi underwent surgery at Bankstown Hospital.

Howard’s lawyer Robyn Richardson applied for bail, despite noting the “bizarre” nature of the alleged offences.

She pointed out that Howard had walked off before he was pursued by his alleged victim.

“What followed your honour can be described as affray or melee,” Ms Richardson said.

“What is in contention here was whether Mr Howard was acting in self defence. One would expect that’s a high bar to cross with the biting of the finger.”

However Ms Stapleton accepted he represented a danger to the community before denying his bail application.

If found guilty, Howard faces a maximum jail term of 25 years.

He will return to court in early December.