Man sentenced for biting off ear in Whispers pub brawl
A man who admitted biting off and swallowing part of another man's ear in an East Lothian pub has been sentenced to 160 hours community service.
Alastair Park, 30, attacked Graeme Aitken in Whispers Lounge Bar in Tranent on 29 April 2012.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Mr Aitken had dared drinkers to fight with him before Park bit off his ear.
Sentence had been deferred for background reports.
Defence solicitor, Mark Hutchison, told Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie that Mr Aitken had been barred from the pub some years ago.
Park's girlfriend was a barmaid in Whispers, said Mr Hutchison, and Park was concerned she would get into trouble if she confronted Mr Aitken.
The fight had started when Park tried to stop Mr Aitken misbehaving and hurling sectarian abuse at fellow customers.
The lawyer admitted that his client had not "covered himself in glory" by his actions.
Sheriff Jarvie said alcohol had played a part in the incident and agreed the victim had been "no angel", but added it was "a pretty unsavoury offence".
As well as the Community Payback Order, Sheriff Jarvie told Park she would like him to volunteer to attend his GP and see if there was any psychological problems.
The case will be reviewed by the court in December.