It’s a divisive refearendum
Staunch Unionist bites a chunk out of his stepdad’s lug in brawl over Scottish and British identity
A MAN bit off a chunk of his stepdad’s ear after they argued about whether they were Scottish or British.
Staunch unionist Lee Clarke sank his teeth into Alistair Wilson as they rolled on the floor when the argument boiled over into violence.
Alistair, 54, needed emergency surgery. But the reattached tissue turned black
and could not be saved. Prosecutor Michelle Molley told Inverness Sheriff Court: “Whilst Lee Clarke and Mr Wilson were on the ground, Clarke bit his right ear, severing the outer ear.
“On becoming aware of the blood, Clarke got up and was taken out of the flat. “Police and ambulance were thereafter contacted by Mandy Wilson. “Police officers arrived and saw a large amount of blood smeared over the wooden living room floor and on the wall between the bathroom and bedrooms.
“Alistair Wilson was conveyed to Raigmore Hospital by ambulance paramedics.
“Part of his ear was recovered from the hallway floor and delivered to medical staff at the hospital.”
After being arrested, Clarke, 34, told police: “It was selfdefence but I regret what I did.”
Molley accepted Clarke had been provoked.
She said the violence exploded at Clarke’s mum Mandy’s home in the city last August.
Clarke yesterday admitted assaulting stepdad Alistair to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
It was the dad of two’s first conviction.
Alistair decided against plastic surgery when the attempt to reattach his ear did not work.
Clarke had previously posted pro-Union comments on his Facebook page.
He claimed during his police interview that he and Alistair had been arguing over being British or Scottish.
He claimed Alistair grabbed him in a headlock and pulled him to the floor.
Molley told the court: “Clarke stated that he was unable to breathe so he proceeded to bite what he believed was the victim’s arm but turned out to be the victim’s ear.” The court heard that Alistair had a severed right ear and was later treated by an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Molley added: “Under general anaesthetic, the tissue was stitched back into place. Following that, he attended follow-up appointments at the ENT clinic to monitor the healing.
“Unfortunately, the reattached tissues turned blue, then black, which meant they were not healing and would have to be trimmed away.
“His GP was informed Mr Wilson could live with the injury or seek a plastic surgery reconstruction. The doctor was informed that he had decided he could live with it.
“Mr Wilson will be left with a permanent disfigurement to his ear if he doesn’t fix it with plastic surgery. This injury is a cosmetic injury which will not affect the functionality of the ear.”
Shortly after the incident, Alistair posted pictures of the horrific aftermath of his injury, including one of him lying in a gown in hospital.
Sheriff Chris Dickson deferred sentence for a background report on Clarke. He continued his bail and asked for a restriction of liberty order assessment.
Defence lawyer Clare Russell said she would reserve her comments until Clarke is sentenced on June 30.
Part of his ear was recovered from the hallway floor and delivered to hospital
PROSECUTOR