Deliveroo rider bites off man's thumb and leaves him 'permanently disabled' in huge row over pizza

Deliveroo rider bites off man's thumb and leaves him 'permanently disabled' in huge row over pizza

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GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 20/03/2024

- 13:34

Jennifer Rocha pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent

A Deliveroo driver bit a customer's thumb off in a row over a pizza.

Brazilian Jennifer Rocha, 35, delivered a £57 Pizza Express order to the wrong address.


Rocha now faces prison after she bit the thumb of Stephen Jenkinson's thumb down to the knuckle during the freak attack.

The 36-year-old plumber said he has now been left "permanently disabled" and unable to work.

The Deliveroo rider/Winchester crown court

The Deliveroo rider has appeared before Winchester Court

PA

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court, Rocha admitted grievous bodily harm without intent and is due to be sentenced at a later date.

The court heard how Jenkinson ordered pizza from Deliveroo to his home on December 14, 2022, but Rocha arrived to the wrong address further down his street in Aldershot.

When he went out to collect his food the father-of-one forgot to bring his phone and a brief argument erupted regarding the delivery code he was required to show.

It was then that Rocha launched her attack, Jenkinson told the BBC. He raised her hands to Rocha's motorcycle helmet and she bit his thumb.

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Winchester Crown Court

Rocha changed her plea upon appearing at Winchester Crown Court

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Jenkinson previously told the Sun: "After realising the driver couldn't find us I messaged her asking her to come to my address, but she refused and told me to come to her, so I did.

"I ran out the house without my phone and when she asked for the code, I said I'll take the pizzas and come back with it, but she was having none of it.

"She immediately went for me, punching and kicking me, but I didn't want to hit a woman so I just pushed her, that's when my thumb ended up in her mouth and she just clamped down until it came off."

The 36-year-old has now expressed concern that he has been unable to work and has had to relearn basic tasks such as tying shoelaces and doing up buttons.

Prosecutor Rebecca Austin told the court: "The impact on the victim has been devastating. He has been left with a permanent disability and a part of his toe being removed.

"It has had a physical and psychological impact and continues to this day.

Addressing Rocha, who has citizenship in the UK until 2028, in court, Judge Timothy Mousley KC said it was a "serious offence which may well result in you being sent to prison."

A Deliveroo spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "This was an awful incident. We ended the account of the rider concerned immediately and have fully cooperated with the police on the investigation."

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