BITING a former schoolfriend almost cost a young man his liberty when he escaped jail “by a knife edge”.

Kelvin Reeves had previously admitted the assault, in a fit of “misplaced anger” but was given a last chance when he appeared for sentence at Maidstone Crown Court.

Reeves, 25, of Keswick Court, Hazlemere Drive, Gillingham, received 51 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, together with a supervision order requiring him to conquer his problems with drink and anger management. Reeves was also ordered to pay his victim £300 in compensation.

The court had previously heard that the unprovoked attack took place at the White Horse pub in Rainham on May 20 last year.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was approached by Reeves.

Peter Gower, prosecuting, said: “He says the defendant went over to him. He says: 'He did not say anything to me. He came over as if he were an old mate and put both his arms on my shoulders.

"I thought he was going to say hello. His face was towards me. He put his face to the left of my face. I felt his mouth by my cheek. I thought he was going to give me a playful kiss.

“I started to feel pain. His teeth had sunk into me for five seconds or more’.”

The man was taken to hospital where he was treated for an injury consistent with a human bite.

Thomas Stern, defending, said the attack stemmed from “misplaced anger” on the part of Reeves.

In sentencing Reeves, Judge Andrew Patience QC, told him: “Your case has given me a great deal of anxiety. You have been convicted on your own confession of a nasty offence of assault, causing actual bodily harm.

“You had a perceived grievance against this individual which seems to have been your motivation, and you bit him - nasty, but happily with no lasting injury.”

Judge Patience went on to say that because of a change of law under the Criminal Justice Act of 2003 Reeves, due to his previous record of violence, could face an extended prison sentence, or even a life sentence.

“I have to consider whether there is a pattern of violence in your background, and I have come to the conclusion that there is.”

However, he added: “I have considered all the material put before me. That includes two letters and the excellent pre-sentence report, and I pay tribute to the author for its thoroughness and its clarity.

“I have reached the decision by a knife edge. I have considered that your two problems, with alcohol and with anger, have shown signs of improvement since the summer of last year. These improvements, it seems to me, are not only in your interests but in the interests of the public.

“I am just persuaded it would be unreasonable to assume there is a significant risk from further offences committed by you. But if ever a case was considered a last chance, this is it.”