Man who bit off students nose in Shropshire bar avoids immediate prison

William Clark had inflicted the injury during a dispute in the Student Union bar at Harper Adams University near Newport more than a year ago.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday Clark was given a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation to victim Joshua Brown, who is likely to have a lasting disfigurement.

Clark, of Catesby Road, Staverton, near Daventry, must also complete 200 hours' unpaid work and pay £200 court costs.

Judge Peter Barrie said he accepted it was an "outburst of temper" while in drink in a crowded bar and there was a moment of conflict and it was out of character.

At an earlier trial Clark, who works for an exotic fruit importer, was cleared of wounding Mr Brown with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but he had already admitted a charge of unlawful wounding.

The court heard the incident happened on September 19 last year on a graduation night when Clark had been in the bar with friends and got into an altercation with Mr Brown which was captured on CCTV and was shown to the jury.

Mr Michael Grey, prosecuting, said it was the early hours when Clark bit off the front part of Mr Brown's nose causing a serious wound.

The victim had fallen to the floor in "great pain" and doctors later discovered the front part and bottom section of his nose were missing.

The court heard Clark had been pointing and was antagonistic towards a young woman and Mr Brown had stepped in and come face to face with the defendant.

Clark admitted biting Mr Brown's nose and said there was some activity prior to the bite which he described as a "nip" and he said felt he had not bitten hard and did not intend to cause any damage.