Man almost bit his step father’s ear off in a row over whether Andy Murray was Scottish or British
He has escaped jail but has been ordered to pay £1,200 compensation
A MAN who almost bit off his stepfather's ear in a row over Andy Murray's nationality escaped a jail sentence but was ordered to pay his victim £1,200 in compensation.
Lee Clarke was instructed to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody and ordered to remain in his house between 8pm and 6am for the next 90 days.
At Inverness Sheriff Court, Sheriff Chris Dickson told him: "This was an extremely serious offence where you have caused permanent disfigurement.
"It is accepted that you were acting under provocation in that you were in a head lock at the time, having difficulty breathing and you acted in hot blood.
"Since you are at low risk of re-offending, reached the age of 34 without conviction, I can deal with this other than sending you to prison."
At an earlier hearing, Clarke confirmed to a court that the issue of whether the world tennis No 1 Andy Murray was “British or Scottish” caused a violent argument that left stepdad Alistair Wilson needing surgery to have his part of right ear sown back on.
Clarke said: “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 heard earlier that Clarke, of Evan Barron Road, had been socialising with his mum, Mandy Wilson, and his stepfather at her home in Esk Road, Inverness, last August.
related stories
Alastair required emergency surgery following the event and has been left permanently disfigured by the attack.
The tissue re-attached to the 54-year-old’s head eventually turned back and could not be saved.
Prosecutor Michelle Molley told the court in an earlier hearing: “Whilst Lee Clarke and Mr Wilson were on the ground, Clarke bit his right ear, severing the outer ear.
“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.”
Following his arrest 34-year-old Clarke told cops: “It was self-defence but I regret what I did.”
The father of two admitted assaulting his stepdad.
Shortly after the incident, Alistair posted pictures of the horrific aftermath of his injury, including one of him lying in a gown in hospital.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368