Nelson student who bit dad's ear spared jail (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Nelson student who bit dad's ear spared jail

3:53pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Brierfield

A STUDENT who sank his teeth into his dad’s ear after a Christmas Eve drinking session, has been spared jail.

Gareth Wilde, 21, who is said to suffer depression and have an alcohol problem, left victim Colin Wilde cut and bleeding after the attack at the family home in Nelson.

Burnley magistrates heard how Wilde, who is at Burnley College on a business studies course, had turned to drink after he and a friend found some drugs in a local park and the friend took them and died.

The defendant was given eight weeks in prison, suspended for a year, with 12 months supervision to address alcohol misuse and anger management.

Wilde, of Park Drive, admitted assault by beating.

The magistrates told him a home should be a place of refuge, he had used his teeth as a weapon and his actions would have ongoing effects on his father.