A TEENAGER who scarred a youth for life by biting off part of his ear has been sentenced to nine months' detention.

Philip Payne lay in wait in a doorway in West Street, Hereford, for victim Nathan Andrews after he left a pub with his girlfriend.

The 19-year-old first bit Mr Andrews' jaw then latched on to his right ear before spitting out a piece of it, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Judge David McEvoy QC insisted that Payne look at photographs of the victim's injuries before passing sentence on him.

The judge told him: "You plainly disfigured him for life. I recognise that you are self-critical about it and ashamed of yourself."

While drinking in a Hereford pub with friends on Friday, December 15 last year, it was suggested to Mr Andrews he should leave or trouble might break out, said Antonie Muller, prosecuting. A row had erupted a year earlier between the pair over a girl.

As Mr Andrews walked past a chip shop at 11.30pm, Payne approached him but he fell to the ground after getting in the first punch.

Payne jumped on top of him, pinned his arms and bit him. Surgeons were unable to sew the severed flesh back on.

Police arrested the defendant as he fled down Victoria Street. He claimed he became involved in violence after going to the rescue of a girl.

Stephen Dent, defending, said Payne, who had no previous convictions, wanted to make a public apology to Mr Andrews.

Both youths had drunk too much and there was a history of animosity between them.

Mr Dent said Payne "went over the top" in self-defence and caused nasty injuries.

But he had been affected by his father's death a year earlier. From a happy-go-lucky teenager he changed into a heavy-drinking depressive.

Mr Dent handed the judge a number of testimonials from the defendant's local community.