A businessman has been jailed for two years for savagely biting off a man’s finger when they clashed at a Medway golf club.

Harry Bailey was told by a judge: "What you did that night was inexcusable, criminal and a really disgusting act."

The 43-year-old stonemason, of Binney Road, Allhallows, was convicted of unlawful wounding and cleared of wounding with intent.

He denied both charges.

Paul Ewen was left in agony as Bailey spat out the tip of his left ring finger at Allhallows Golf Course, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

It was placed in an ice bucket but surgeons were unable to re-attach it.

Bailey, known as H, and Mr Ewen were in the bar at the club in Avery Way on August 14 last year when they argued.

Bailey eventually left but the door later burst open and he rushed in and wrestled Mr Ewen from his stall onto the ground.

"The defendant, who is considerably bigger and stronger than Mr Ewen, was kneeling over him punching him to the head," said prosecutor John O’Higgins.

Licensee Bill Budd tried to pull Bailey off.

"Mr Ewen put up his hands to defend himself," said Mr O’Higgins. "He felt sharp pain to his left hand.

"He could see his left ring finger was in the defendant’s mouth.

"The defendant was biting on it. Unsurprisingly, you might think, Mr Ewen was saying: ‘Stop, don’t do it.’ Bill managed to get the defendant off Mr Ewen.

"The defendant stood up and spat out the tip end of Mr Ewen’s finger. He was told to get out by Bill. He searched around on the floor and found the end of the finger."

Mr O’Higgins told jurors: "Reflect on that horrible thought for a moment.

"It involves biting through bone. Mr Ewen is left with a finger which ends just after the final joint."

Bailey at first claimed he did not recall biting off the finger and said if he was responsible it was in self-defence.

Judge Jeremy Carey told him: "This is a serious injury. It is permanent disfigurement, not a cut that will heal."

Peter Alcock, defending, said there was real fear Bailey’s business would collapse if he was sent to prison.

The attack, he said, was "excessive defensive action in the heat of the moment" and had an element of provocation.

"It lasted about 30 seconds," said Mr Alcock. "The consequences cause him great regret."