A UNIVERSITY student who bit a man's nose in a pub fracas has walked free from court.

Wayne Gibson, 19, then an injured member of a local football team, should have gone to prison, but the prosecution accepted he had acted in self-defence, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Gibson, who was brought up in care but went on to go to university, was given a combination order of 12 months probation and 100 hours community service.

Sentencing him, Assistant Recorder Yvonne Coppel said he had a bright future and she was prepared to give him a chance to make something of himself.

Gibson, now living at a hall of residence at Stafford University, admitted unlawful wounding.

Richard Heap, prosecuting, said the victim was with friends at the Thatch and Thistle, Nelson, and there was an altercation which continued outside.

Gibson bit the man's nose, causing him to need five stitches.

Paul Hague, defending, said the defendant had been in care between the ages of eight and 18, had not seen his mother for four years and effectively had no family in the world.

Gibson, one of the first brought up in care in this areas to go to university, struggled financially and worked part-time to scrape by.

He had been back in the area visiting friends.

While in care he played for a football team, but had been injured and he returned to watch and support his team. Trouble in the pub was caused by the victim who was put out by bouncers, while Gibson was only asked to leave.

He said the man went after Gibson twice outside and on a third time put his thumb near the defendant's eye socket.

At that point, Gibson bit his nose.

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