Daniel Peasnell, 33, was sentenced to five years at Oxford Crown Court after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm for biting the hand of wedding guest Stephen Dixon in May 2023. The attack fractured a bone and led to the partial amputation of Dixon’s left middle finger. Peasnell — who had been drinking, was ejected from the reception and later restrained by Dixon and his son — denied the GBH charge and claimed self‑defence but admitted to lesser offences. Judge Ian Pringle KC described Peasnell’s conduct as using his mouth as a “highly dangerous weapon” and warned that alcohol was a serious problem for him.
Wedding Usher Sentenced to 5 Years After Biting Off Groom’s Uncle’s Finger
CPS / SWNSDaniel Peasnell
A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to five years in prison after a violent altercation at his best friend’s wedding left a guest with severe hand injuries.
Daniel Peasnell was handed the sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Dec. 18 after a jury found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm in relation to an incident in May 2023. The victim, Stephen Dixon — the uncle of Peasnell’s friend Peter Green — suffered a fractured bone and required partial amputation to his left middle finger after Peasnell bit his hand during the confrontation, the court heard.
CPS / SWNSBody-cam footage shows Daniel Peasnell being held down by a police officer
According to the judge’s account, Peasnell had been drinking throughout the wedding day while serving as an usher. He became involved in a row with his ex-girlfriend, was asked to leave the reception and then clashed with the wedding organiser and staff. Outside the venue, Peasnell demanded that his friend come out to speak with him; when he was not invited back inside the situation escalated.
Dixon and his son intervened to restrain Peasnell and hold him until police arrived. As officers reached the scene, the court was told, Peasnell bit Dixon’s fingers so forcefully that the tip of one finger was torn away and bone was broken. Police body-worn camera footage captured bystanders shouting that a finger had been bitten off and officers calling for medical help.
CPS / SWNSBody-cam footage shows Daniel Peasnell being held down by wedding guests
While being taken to hospital, prosecutors say, Peasnell threatened a police officer, reportedly saying, “get off my arms or I will bite your f------ nose off.” Peasnell denied the charge of causing grievous bodily harm at trial but admitted to lesser offences including fighting in a public place and threatening an officer; his defence argued he acted in self‑defence.
“You used your mouth as a highly dangerous weapon to maim Mr Dixon’s fingers — plural,” Judge Ian Pringle KC told Peasnell, according to court reports. The judge also criticised Peasnell’s drinking, adding that “alcohol and you are incompatible.”
Peasnell, a father of four, was remanded to begin his custodial sentence. The victim’s injuries included a fractured bone at the tip of his left middle finger and the partial amputation of that finger; the court heard that the top of an adjacent finger was also missing.
The case has drawn attention for the severity of the injury and for the dramatic bodycam footage and eyewitness reactions captured at the scene, underscoring how quickly a night out can turn violent when alcohol and confrontation collide.
