A MAN ripped off the ear of a former friend with his teeth in a drunken fight outside a social club late on Boxing Day night, a court heard.

Joshua Peter Marsden, 20, who is of previous good character, snapped after being thrown out of Thornley Workingmen’s Club, in east Durham, following a disturbance.

Durham Crown Court heard that a confrontation arose outside, during which Marsden was struck on the back of the head with a thrown bottle.

A mutual friend intervened urging both combatants to calm down and then phoned for an ambulance to treat Marsden’s bloodied head.

Lesley Kirkup said the argument continued and Marsden rushed at the other man, putting him in a headlock and clasping his teeth on his ear. “The victim described feeling the defendant’s teeth latching onto his ear and then felt it being ripped off, before seeing it on the pavement.

“The man had an injured shoulder which he said prevented him from fighting back.

“The injured man was seen holding the side of his face, saying, ‘He’s bitten me. He’s bitten my ear off’.”

Miss Kirkup said Marsden was then heard to say: “I don’t care. I don’t care.”

She told the court that despite efforts to repair the ear, all efforts had so far failed.

When arrested and interviewed, Marsden said that he could not recall the incident and believed that he only landed a punch in retaliation.

Miss Kirkup added that a blood test revealed traces of cocaine and cannabis as well as a high alcohol reading in his system.

Marsden, of Warkworth Drive, Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street, admitted unlawful wounding.

Jane Waugh, for Marsden, said: “He’s a 20-year-old of hitherto good character, who was training to be a quantity surveyor and doing well.

“He’s now been dismissed from his employment due to these proceedings, despite being held in generally high esteem by many people.”

She added that although Marsden appeared to have been heavily provoked, he accepts his behaviour was “unacceptable”.

Judge Christopher Prince told Marsden: “No matter what the provocation, and what I read of your character and remorse, I cannot suspend the sentence.”

Marsden was given a 12- month sentence in a young offenders’ institution, of which he will serve the first six behind bars, before spending the rest on licence.