Tennis fan bites stepdad's ear off in row over 'whether Andy Murray is British or Scottish'

A tennis fan who bit a chunk of his stepfather's ear off during a drunken row over whether Andy Murray is British or Scottish is facing jail.

Lee Clarke, 34, lost the plot as he argued about the Wimbledon champion's nationality with Alistair Wilson, 54, during a family gathering in Inverness, north Scotland.

Mr Clarke gnashed at his stepfather's right ear until he severed a piece, leaving him permanently disfigured after the brawl.

Surgeons later managed to sew the chunk of Mr Wilson's flesh back on, but the reattached tissue wouldn't heal and had to be trimmed away.

Mr Clarke, a father of two, was arrested after his mother Mandy Wilson called police to the bloody scene at her home last August.

He admitted assaulting the victim at Inverness Sheriff Court and will be sentenced on 28 July.

The staunch unionist claims he acted in self defence after his stepfather provoked him during argument about Mr Murray's nationality.

"It was a silly argument over whether Andy Murray was British or Scottish,' said Mr Clarke.

"I have nothing against the Scots, most of my family are Scottish. But I regard myself as British. Andy is British, but he is also Scottish."

The court ordered a restriction of liberty assessment to be completed before Mr Clarke is sentenced.

Prosecutor Michelle Molley told the court it wasn't clear who started the fight, which ended with Mr Clarke and Mr Wilson grappling on the floor.

“Whilst Lee Clarke and Mr Wilson were on the ground, Clarke bit his right ear, severing the outer ear," she said.

“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.”

The prosecutor said Mr Wilson will be left with permanent disfigurement if he doesn't get plastic surgery, but the injury won't affect the function of his ear.

He posted pictures of the horrific injury on social media while he recovered in hospital.

Clare Russell, defending Mr Clarke, 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 to his stepfather. His guilty plea was tendered on the basis that there was provocation after an argument over the nationality of a sportsman.

"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."