A MAN bit a builder's cheek in a street scuffle, a court heard yesterday.

Daniel Wiper, 23, of Whitby Way, Darlington, appearing at Teesside Crown Court, denied unlawfully wounding builder David Snowball in the town, in March last year.

The jury heard that he had admitted a charge of assault with intention to resist arrest on a police officer on the same evening.

Mr Snowball told the court he and his brother had walked past a group of young men in Barnard Street, off Duke Street, after leaving O'Neill's pub.

He said Mr Wiper had said to him "Merry Christmas", so he replied "And a Happy New Year". At this, he told the court, Mr Wiper became angry and aggressive, shouting abuse and making threatening gestures.

Mr Snowball, who had drunk seven pints, said he was afraid that the four men were going to attack him and decided to get "the first punch in" because he thought he and his brother would be chased if they ran.

His punch did not make contact, but the two men ended up on the ground, with Mr Wiper allegedly biting Mr Snowball's cheek, making it bleed, the court was told.

Mr Snowball said the four then walked away and became involved in a scuffle with other friends of his before the police arrived.

He denied defence claims that, after the incident, he and his friends had chased Mr Wiper and his group along the street and punched him before the police arrived.

Mr Snowball said he had been trying to break up the scuffle.

The trial continues.