A FORMER soldier accused of wounding a man in a street fight was defending himself, a court heard yesterday.

Daniel Wiper, 22, of Whitby Way, Darlington, is accused of unlawfully wounding David Snowball by biting him on the face in March last year. He denies the charge.

Yesterday, the former Royal Artillery soldier, who had an exemplary service record, but was discharged on medical grounds, told Teesside Crown Court that the incident took place the day after his 21st birthday. He had been drinking since noon that day.

The court heard Mr Wiper had consumed lager, spirits and bottled drinks.

He said he was very drunk but not aggressive, and could remember little of the incident in Barton Street, Darlington.

Mr Wiper said an argument started with Mr Snowball.

He said: "We ended up on the floor rolling about. I accept that I bit him, but I do not remember doing it."

He said he was scared because he was a big lad, and that he had acted in self-defence.

The jury heard earlier that Mr Wiper admitted a charge of assaulting a police officer at the scene with intention to resist arrest.

Mr Wiper said: "I had been assaulted and there was nothing happening to the other man. I thought I had been singled out."

The case continues.