A row over being British or Scottish led to a stepson biting a chunk off the ear of his mother’s husband in Inverness.
Staunch unionist Lee Clarke was socialising with his mum Mandy Wilson and stepdad Alistair Wilson, at her home in the city’s Esk Road last August.
But when the conversation turned towards national identity – in relation to whether they considered themselves Scottish or British – the argument erupted into violence and eventual surgery to stitch Mr Wilson’s ear back on.
At Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, 34-year-old Lee Clarke, of Evan Barron Road, Inverness, admitted a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
It was the first conviction for the father-of-two, who can not work due to his epilepsy.
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley, who accepted there was provocation, told the court that it was not clear who had started the fight before it spilled on to the living room floor.
She added: “Whilst Lee Clarke and Mr Wilson were on the ground, Clarke bit his right ear, severing the outer ear.
“On becoming aware of the blood, Clarke got up and was taken out of the flat.
“Police and ambulance were thereafter contacted by Mandy Wilson. Police officers arrived and saw a large amount of blood smeared over the wooden living room floor and on the wall between the bathroom and bedrooms.
“Alistair Wilson was conveyed to Raigmore Hospital by ambulance paramedics.
“Part of his ear was recovered from the hallway floor and delivered to medical staff at the hospital.”
After being arrested by police, Clarke said: “It was self defence but I regret what I did.”
He claimed during his police interview that he and Mr Wilson had been arguing over being British or Scottish, when Wilson grabbed him in a headlock and pulled him to the floor.
Ms Molley went on: “Clarke stated he was unable to breathe so he proceeded to bite what he believed was the victim’s arm, but turned out to be the victim’s ear.”
The court heard that Alistair Wilson had a severed right ear and was later treated by a speciality doctor of ear, nose and throat.
Ms Molley added: “Under general anaesthetic, the tissue was stitched back into place.
“Unfortunately, the reattached tissues turned blue, then black, which meant they were not healing and would have to be trimmed away.
“His GP was informed that Mr Wilson could live with the injury or seek a plastic surgery reconstruction. The doctor was informed that he had decided he could live with it.”
Sheriff Chris Dickson deferred sentence for a background report on Clarke, continued his bail and asked for a restriction of liberty order assessment.
Defence lawyer Clare Russell said she would reserve her comments until sentencing on June 30.
