Shropshire graduate bit off student's nose 'out of fear'
A man accused of biting off the end of student's nose said he did it because he was afraid, a court heard.
William Clark gave evidence yesterday and said that he had reacted out of fear when he bit the nose of fellow Harper Adam's student Joshua Brown.
The 23-year-old told the jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court that he had been pushed to the ground, hit in the mouth and punched by someone he believed to be Mr Brown in the student union bar on the night of graduation.
A jury watched CCTV footage of the incident, which showed the two men in an altercation in the early hours of September 19 last year.
Clark told the court he had been for a meal out with his parents after his graduation ceremony and had then returned to the college to meet friends in the student union bar.
"I was standing at the bar and it was very busy," he said. "I let a girl go in front of me to be served and this upset another girl. She did not like that I had let someone in front of me and she was verbally abusive. I was shocked at the reaction. I was just being a gentleman.
"She continued to be verbally abusive and then Joshua Brown stepped in between us. He started pushing me and then he pushed me so hard that I fell to the floor. I tried to regain my footing. Then I was hit in the face. The hit chipped one of my teeth and cut my mouth.
"Then I got up and I was face to face with Joshua Brown. I bit his nose. I did it because I have never been in a fight before and I was afraid. I wanted to get away. My reaction was disproportionate. I really regret doing it. I was just trying to escape."
Clark of Catesby Road, Staverton, Northamptonshire has admitted unlawful wounding but denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The trial continues.
