by Keith Hunt

A thug who savagely bit off a teenager's nose after a night out drinking has been jailed for four years.

Russell Scott left the 16-year-old in need of extensive reconstructive surgery and scarred for life.

Judge Philip Statman told Scott: "This was clearly an unprovoked attack by you.

"You used your teeth as a weapon. It is a truly awful injury and extremely grave act of violence."

Scott, of Willowside, Snodland, admitted wounding with intent.

The 28-year-old had been drinking at the Savoy snooker club in Snodland on December 4 last year when in the early hours he saw the victim and a friend walking home.

Martin Yale, prosecuting, said Scott was agitated and said he had been having trouble with the teenager's friends.

He told the victim it was "one of his divvy mates".

The friend said they were just walking home and did not want any trouble. But Scott said he knew they had not caused trouble but he did not care.

"He grabbed him around the back of the neck and pulled him forward and bit his nose," Mr Yale told Maidstone Crown Court.

"He pulled away. He put his hand to his face and realised he was bleeding heavily."

Scott went towards the youth again, but his friend stepped between them.

An ambulance was called and the victim was taken to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for specialist treatment.

"i bit the fella's nose off - simple as that...” – russell scott

"He lost a significant part of his nasal tissue, the cartilage and lining of the nostril," said the prosecutor.

"It is not known how successful any reconstructive surgery will be. He is awaiting further surgery. The whole process may take up to eight months.

"He will be left with considerable cosmetic deformity to the tip of his nose. The surgery will leave permanent scarring."

A medical expert said the injury would have required a bite of "significant force - a strong and forceful bite".

When arrested, Scott said: "Some p---- came up in my face and gave me hassle.

"One said: 'You are going to get a hiding.' I bit the fella's nose off - simple as that."

He added the victim must have been in his face as he would not have gone out of his way to do it. He was shocked to find he was only 16.