A drinker bit off a chunk of another man’s ear during a brawl in a Coatbridge pub.
But Jordan Dick’s claim that he acted under provocation from the victim was accepted at Airdrie Sheriff Court this week.
The 29-year-old admitted assaulting the man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at The Vulcan in Main Street on March 1 last year.
The court heard Dick, of School Street, Coatbridge, was at a table with three friends while the victim was also in the pub with a pal.
Annette Ward, prosecuting, said: “As far as I know, the two groups were not known to each other.
“Seemingly without provocation, the victim’s friend ran towards one of the males in Dick’s company, pushed him off his chair and punched him.
“A scuffle ensued during which the victim approached Dick and punched him. Dick then bit the man, severing the upper part of his ear.”
Sheriff Paul Haran was shown CCTV footage of the incident. This also showed Dick throwing a glass and the victim, after he’d been bitten, kicking a man who was on the floor.
Ms Ward told the court: “The victim and his friend were hostile towards the police and refused to provide statements.
“The victim would not allow access to his medical records, but I spoke to him yesterday and there is permanent disfigurement – a noticeable injury.”
Defence lawyer Paul Berlardo said the victim and his friend have already been prosecuted for their part in the brawl.
Dick appeared in court as a first offender and Mr Belardo pointed out that the Crown accepted his guilty plea was on the basis that he had acted under provocation.
Sheriff Haran called for background reports and an electronic tagging assessment, and deferred sentence until next month.
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