A bridegroom's father who bit off part of a guest's ear at a wedding reception has been ordered to pay 1,000 compensation to his victim, writes Rebecca Smith.

Anthony Thomkins, 42, of Fairlie Road, Rosehill, Oxford, became involved in a brawl at the Cowley Conservative Club, and bit the top of Gareth William's left ear, Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Tomkins' son, Paul, 23, and his fiance, Charlotte, married on June 12, 1998. Family and friends were enjoying the reception until a group of youths became rowdy and started throwing chairs, Tomkins said out of court.

He went over to ask them to stop, but said they jumped on him. "The next thing I knew there was fighting all over the place," Tomkins said. Police were called and Tomkins, a carpenter, was arrested the following day. He still denies being involved in the incident but was found guilty by a jury on October 6 this year of wounding and affray.

Jonathan Coode, prosecuting, told the court yesterday Mr Williams also suffered a dislocated shoulder during the fracas.

Nikki Duncan, defending, said there were exceptional circumstances in the case.

She handed references to Judge Paul Clark which described Tomkins as a "devoted family man, hard working, responsible, kind and a quiet man who was patient and not quick to lose his temper." She read from medical reports which said Tomkins had been deeply affected psychologically by the proceedings and suffered from severe depression.

The reports also documented a suicide attempt four days after Tomkins received a summons to appear in court.

Miss Duncan said: "The impact of a custodial sentence on this man would be more serious than on others."

Judge Paul Clark, sentencing Tomkins, said: "You were found guilty by a jury of a serious offence. I accept it was totally out of character." He ordered Tomkins to pay 1,000 to Mr Williams and do 160 hours community service.

Tomkins said after the case: "I am most upset for my family that have been dragged through this. I didn't do it.

"The evidence they had was terrible. It is a nightmare I just can't believe it."

He said he was considering appealing against the conviction and was supported in court by his sons, Eddie, 25, and Matthew, 21, along with his wife and friends.