Scaffolder Kelvin Doran had been on a night out in Poulton with friends when he ran into his victim in The Golden Bull.

The two argued and the other man left the pub, fearing violence would flare.

He went on to Club Monaco and Doran showed up some time later.

Benjamin Myers, prosecuting, said: "Kelvin Doran went up to him and punched him in the face.

"Both men grappled and went to the floor.

"He then bit his ear with such force and aggression as to remove the top part of it."

The 22-year-old, of Rede Avenue, Fleetwood, was arrested the morning after the attack in October 2008.

He admitted he had been involved in a fight but denied biting part of the man's ear off.

Doran continued to deny the offence of wounding but was convicted by a jury at Preston Crown Court in December last year.

Sentencing him to five years in prison, Judge Pamela Badley told him: "There were serious injuries, which the jury found were caused by you.

"You bit him on the ear so part of his ear was severed.

"You denied doing this very nasty action at the time and you continue to deny it now."

"In your victim's case his anguish was not only the physical disfiguration he suffered but the loss of confidence which
affected him afterwards."

Before Doran was sentenced Lancashire Police applied to impose an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

But the judge said the sentence handed down to Doran was enough.

Det Sgt Andy Hoyle, of Fleetwood CID, said: "This was a particularly brutal attack where the victim had the lower part of his ear bitten off.

"I'm pleased with the sentence and I hope it sends out a strong message to anyone who is considering getting involved in violent public disorder."