A drunk Angus teenager suddenly lunged at a man in a nightclub and bit him on the ear, Forfar Sheriff Court has heard.
David Munro, 19, carried out the assault at DeVito’s nightclub on Millgate, Arbroath, on August 16 last year.
Depute fiscal Jim Eodonable said Munro and the victim had been acquaintances from school.
He said the man had approached Munro in the club when he saw he was in a “distressed state”.
Munro, of Rosefield Place, Arbroath, responded by leaning forward and biting him on the ear.
“The complainer went over to ask if he was all right,” the depute fiscal said.
“Munro moved forward and bit into the ear of the complainer, which caused the ear to be sore and bleed.
“The accused moved away and a friend came to the complainer’s aid. The nightclub staff were informed and the accused was later traced by police.
“He admitted his bad behaviour from the off,” Mr Eodonable added.
“Fortunately the wound was nothing more than a cut.”
Defence agent Lynne Sturrock said Munro was “heavily intoxicated” when he carried out the assault.
“He has gone out with friends and consumed excess alcohol,” she said.
“The complainer was an acquaintance but since the incident they have become more like friends. He has apologised to the complainer for his behaviour on that night.
“Since the incident occurred in August last year he has not drunk to excess.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said: “It’s a strange way of getting to know someone.
“The only thing that’s a little odd is the nature of the attack.”
Ms Sturrock replied: “He has no explanation. He has no recollection.”
Turning to Munro, the sheriff said: “This is an assault to injury so needs to be marked in a significant way.
“You appear as a first offender and it’s regrettable to see someone get a conviction of this kind.
“To assault someone in this way is an unpleasant and unacceptable thing to do.”
He ordered Munro to carry out a community payback order of 40 hours of unpaid work, discounted from 50 hours as a result of his early plea.