'A finger's been bitten off': Golfers brawl at Plymouth golf course

A man charged with biting off another man's finger during a brawl at a Massachusetts golf course has been ordered to stay away from alcohol.

Officials say 46-year-old Derek Harkins pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery, mayhem and disturbing the peace.

Plymouth Police Chief Michael Botieri says two foursomes were on the 18th hole at Southers Marsh Golf Club on Friday evening when there was some sort of altercation.

Dispatchers told police in radio calls, "apparently there's two foursomes that got into an altercation and there's a finger's been bitten off."

He says 57-year-old Daniel Menton of Marshfield had a finger bitten off "to the knuckle." He was taken to the hospital but doctors could not surgically re-attach the digit.

According to court documents, Harkins was upset because there were eight golfers in Menton's group playing very slowly and cheating. Harkins and his father confronted Menton on the green and one of the golfers took a swing at his father, leading to the brawl.

Harkins claims he was defending his father when the fight broke out at that he was on the bottom of the pile when Menton's finger ended up in his mouth. He admitted to police he bit the finger.

"I did and I could tell it hurt him."

Menton described to police the sound of his finger being bitten off was "like someone chewing on a Dorito."

Harkins works as a carpenter for the City of Brockton. Officials say he has been placed on administrative leave until further notice:

"The City is conducting an investigation into the allegations underlying criminal charges recently brought against a City employee for mayhem, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace related to a fight at the Southers March Golf Club in Plymouth that occurred on August 17, 2018.
 
The City has placed the employee on administrative leave until further notice. This is a step required to allow an investigation of this type to be completed while complying with the legal rights of a public employee.
 
In light of the pending litigation and personnel matters, I have been advised by City attorneys that I cannot offer any additional comment at this time."

- Mayor Bill Carpenter

Harkins was released on $10,000 bail and ordered to stay away from Menton and alcohol. He's due back in court on Wednesday.

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Associated Press