A DAD is offering a cash reward to help catch his son’s attacker.
Marco Oswald, 23, had a chunk of his left ear bitten off during an unprovoked assault in a Durham pizza shop last year but as yet his attacker has not been found.
Now the victim’s dad, John, has vowed to pay out £2,000 to anyone who can identify the attacker.
Mr Oswald, 48, said: “When you see your son suffering in a hospital it’s not nice.
“The police have good pictures but no one came forward – we want to jog someone’s memory.”
Mr Oswald says the reward will be paid upon a successful conviction.
The attack happened at Urban Pizza Oven, in Durham City’s Claypath, at about 1.10am on Monday, May 7, while Marco was out with girlfriend Gemma Vasey, 20.
Marco had more than £10,000 of reconstructive surgery on his ear last week at Washington’s Spire Hospital, but he said the experience has affected more than just his appearance.
“I haven’t been out as much, my confidence has been dented quite a bit,” said Marco, who works as a buyer for Universal Sealants in Washington.
“When I’ve been on nights out, I can tell people are looking at me.
“I’ve been working but not going to meetings.
“My family and friends have been keeping my chin up all the time. If we can find who did it, that would cap the whole thing off – I’d just like to see them pay for what they’ve done.”
John Oswald, a motor dealer, added: “He’s a changed lad, he doesn’t go out anymore.
“It’s affected his confidence, he’s a shadow of his former self.
“He was very conscious of the way it looked.”
Doctors say it could be a year before his bitten ear heals and he will be permanently scarred.
The Oswald family have thanked everyone at the Spire Hospital for their help.
Durham Constabulary have asked anyone who can assist their investigation to call them on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Marco described his attacker as about 5ft 8in with light brown hair, wearing a white top and dark trousers.
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