A MAN had part of his ear bitten off in a pub, by an alleged attacker who had had sex with his wife just weeks before, a jury heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told how Robert Large ended up with part of the cartilage missing and had to have stitches after Scott Dickson, 22, sank his teeth into him when he allegedly threw Mr Large to the floor and pinned him down in the Rose and Crown pub on Manchester Road in the town.

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The hearing was told Dickson, who claims self defence, was to tell police he had had a sexual relationship with Mr Large's wife, but had not known at the time that she was married.

Dickson, of Westgate, Burnley, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and an alternative, lesser allegation of wounding, on December 22, 2012.

Prosecutor Julian Taylor told the court :" The defendant had a brief sexual liaison with the complainant's wife some time before this alleged incident.

"Robert Large got to hear about this, there was eventually a conversation to resolve the issue about 10 days before and all appeared to have calmed down."

Mr Taylor said on December 21, Mr Large argued with his wife Stacey and the alleged victim went to the pub just after midnight. He bought a pint of lager and was settling down to have his drink when he felt somebody nudge him. Mr Large turned round and saw the defendant, who said " Alright, Rob,' in an aggressive manner.

The prosecutor said Mr Large took a step back, saw about six other men standing with the defendant and felt threatened.

He threw a punch towards Dickson, the defendant threw a punch back and Mr Large was then thrown to the floor.

He was pinned down and the defendant knelt on his chest with both knees. Dickson then allegedly moved his head to the left side of Mr Large's head and began biting into his left ear, gritting his teeth and tugging at the ear.

Mr Taylor continued:" Somebody, fortunately, dragged the defendant away and Mr Large went to hospital, where he had stitches to his ear. He also had a bite mark to his left cheek and reddening and bruising to his shoulder.

"Part of the ear cartilage was missing. The medical evidence shows a full thickness laceration of the left ear and an abrasion on the left cheek."

Mr Taylor said police had gone to the pub and Mr Large told an officer:" Me and my wife were having a bit of trouble. About three weeks ago, she had sex with a lad called Scott Dickson."

Mr Large said Dickson said something to him, he went to smack him, before he knew it there were about eight lads on him and somebody was 'biting his ear off.' 

He said Dickson was responsible. In the ambulance Mr Large told another officer he could remember everyone biting him.

The prosecutor said Dickson was arrested and taken to the police station. He told officers he had had a sexual relationship with Mr Large's wife but didn't know at the time she was married.

He claimed Mr Large had been after him for a while, threatening him, and while in the Rose and Crown, Mr Large had swung at him and they had ended up on the floor.

The defendant said: "I panicked and I bit him."

Mr Taylor added : "He said he had no intention to do what he did. He just wanted to get him off."

(Proceeding)