A MAN who bit off part of someone’s ear during a brawl has been cleared of causing grievous bodily harm.

Craig Monaghan denied committing the offence during a fight with Lee Atkinson outside shops in Peachcroft Road, Abingdon, on Sunday, June 10, last year.

After a three-day trial at Oxford Crown Court a jury unanimously cleared Mr Monaghan of grievous boldy harm and GBH with intent.

The jury had heard how the complainant was drunk and became aggressive towards Mr Monaghan inside Mak Wines.

He then went outside and the 28-year-old defendant claimed he saw Mr Atkinson making a makeshift weapon by tearing a beer can in half with his teeth.

Giving evidence Mr Monaghan, of Magnette Close, Aylesbury, explained how a brawl began and he tried to get Mr Atkinkson to stop.

The defendant said: “He turned around, said ‘I’m an animal’ and bit me on the forearm.

“It was a split second and instinctive, I just bit him back to try and get him off me.”

Daren Samat, defending, said his client had only acted in self-defence.