Man jailed for biting friend's ears

The court heard from a letter written by McGrory

A man who bit off his best friend's two ears during a row over a broken window has been imprisoned for 15 months.

Martin Webster was left with such scarring that he needs Blu-Tac to hold his glasses to his head.

James McGrory, 30, who had been drinking and smoking cannabis before the attack, shrugged his shoulders at Glasgow Sheriff Court as he was told that prison was the only option.

Mr Webster and his children had moved in with McGrory after leaving the USA when his wife died.

Both men looked on each other as brothers and had known each other for more than 20 years.

Last July, Mr Webster and a friend had returned to the flat in the west end of the city after a night out, but had forgotten his key.

I hope one day we can be friends again James McGrory

With no-one else home, he decided to smash a small window in the front door to get in.

The court was told McGrory was upset when he spotted the damage to the door.

Adele MacDonald, prosecuting, said: "Mr Webster owned up he had broken the window and a fight then developed."

McGrory, now of East Campbell Street, Calton, bit off his friends ears then left his victim bleeding and fled to a nearby field.

Mr Webster was rushed to hospital with "severe ear amputation", but they were considered beyond repair.

In a letter handed to the court, McGrory wrote: "I did not mean to do what I did. I was shocked by the way I reacted. I hope one day we can be friends again."

The accused had turned to God following the incident.

The Rev. Stephen Parrott, his minister at a church in Milngavie, said in a testimonial that McGrory had shown "a lot of love and care" to the parish.