ANDY ROW EAR BITER AVOIDS JAIL
Let off for thug who attacked stepdad
A HOT-HEADED dad who bit off part of his stepfather’s ear in a row over Andy Murray’s nationality has escaped a jail sentence.
Alistair Wilson had to have a chunk of his right lug sewn back on by surgeons after the sickening attack by Lee Clarke.
But yesterday, a sheriff showed him leniency.
Instead of a jail sentence, Clarke, 35, was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and ordered to remain in his house between 8pm and 6am for the next 90 days.
He was also ordered to pay his victim £1200 in compensation. Inverness sheriff Chris Dickson told Cl a r k e : “T h i s wa s a n extremely serious offence where you have caused permanent disfigurement.
“It is accepted that you were acting under provocation in that you were in a head lock at the time, having difficulty breathing and you acted in hot blood.
“Since you are at low risk of re-offending and reached the age of 34 without conviction, I can deal with this other than sending you to prison.” Unionist Clarke had admitted assaulting Alistair to his severe injury in Inverness last August.
Clare Russell, defending, said: “Alcohol and anger were factors. He has taken steps to address his anger issues.
“He was involved in a car accident and, as a result, suffers from epilepsy and cannot work. He received significant compensation and a trust fund was set up from which he derives an income. He is in a position to pay compensation.
“My client accepts there were other actions he could have taken to avoid this.
“It is a matter of deep regret that it involved a family member and he hopes to rekindle some kind of relationship with his stepfather if not only for his mother’s sake.”