A MAN who chopped another man's finger off in a dispute over a £60 loan has failed in an Appeal Court application to reduce his sentence.

Lee Grieve, 21, of Clapham Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, was jailed for five years after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Newcastle Crown Court, in March.

London's Criminal Appeal Court rejected claims that the sentence was excessive.

Lord Justice Hooper, sitting with Mr Justice Leveson and Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, said Grieve had confronted his victim in July last year.

He said: "The victim had borrowed £60 from Grieve's father with a significant rate of interest if he did not pay back within a week."

The court heard that Grieve was armed with a baseball bat and a meat cleaver and told the victim he now owed his parents £200.

Grieve hit the victim, who had raised his hand, severing his right forefinger.

In mitigation, he said he had been gardening with the cleaver and said the victim had caused the confrontation.

Grieve's lawyers said the attack was not premeditated and that he should have received more credit for his guilty plea.

Lord Justice Hooper said: "I have not heard of anybody who does the gardening with a cleaver and a baseball bat.

"This was a grave act with a horrific weapon inflicting permanent damage."