Part of a man’s ear was bitten off during a street fight in Ramsgate.

David McLeod was taken to hospital where the severed part of the ear was later successfully stitched back on.

Kevin Kenchington, 43, of Buxton Road, Ramsgate was arrested and admitted unlawfully wounding Mr McLeod in July, 2006. He was jailed for 19 months.

Richard Scott, prosecuting, told Canterbury Crown Court Mr McLeod was in King Street when he heard the accused’s son Tony saying something to him.

The two men didn’t like each other and after Tony Kenchington’s remarks, there was a confrontation and they began grappling.

At one stage they were hit by a car as they wrestled with each other but not hard enough to separate them so the defendant sat on Mr McLeod.

The fight continued and Kenchington bit Mr McLeod’s ear, biting off two thirds of it. Kenchington told police he tried to separate the two men and bit the ear then suggested the injury may have been caused by the road accident, said Mr Scott.

Alistair Keith, for Kenchington, said mercifully there was no lasting injury.

“He apologises for coming in front of the court for this behaviour and also apologises to Mr McLeod,” said Mr Keith.

Jailing Kenchington, Judge Timothy Nash said his conduct was “inexcusable.” He said Kenchington had lost his temper and caused a grave injury.