A MAN who attacked his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend by biting his ear, leaving it hanging by a flap of skin, was warned to expect a jail sentence yesterday.

Neil Plews, 27, of Dale Park Road, Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, was found guilty of wounding Paul Anthony Smith with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm by a jury at Teesside Crown Court. He denied the charge.

Peter Johnson, prosecuting, told the jury the attack happened after Mr Smith, who was drunk, phoned his ex-girlfriend Jeanette Davies, now the girlfriend of Mr Plews.

While he was walking home on Casshouse Road, in Hemlington, he was attacked by Mr Plews, who kicked and punched him up to ten times said Mr Johnson.

He was taken to hospital and found to have bruising and his ear was found to be torn, being held on only by a flap of skin.

A plastic surgeon said the ear had the appearance of being "chewed" by a human.

Mr Johnson said that, at first, Mr Plews denied having anything to do with the attack, but he added that a test of blood found on Mr Plew's clothing showed there was a billion to one chance it had come from anyone other than Mr Smith.

Mr Plews told the jury he acted in self defence.

He said Mr Smith had previously rung Miss Davies on several occasions, being abusive and threatening.

Recorder Andrew Lees adjourned sentence for preparation of a pre-sentence report but warned that a custodial sentence was inevitable.