A man who bit a police officer's ear so hard that it was left hanging by a thread has been told that he faces jail.

A jury yesterday found Troy Bland, 27, guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

They had earlier heard that PC John Adams needed 14 stitches and plastic surgery as a result of the vicious attack in April this year.

After the jury convicted Bland by a majority of 10-2 his barrister, Nicola Peers, said that custody was almost inevitable.

The Court had heard that Bland who was stripped to the waist fighting another man outside the Ferrand's Arms, Bingley, was carrying a knuckle duster and a metal chain.

Prosecutor Simon Harring said when PC Adams tried to arrest him, Bland threw him over his shoulder, jumped on top of him and started biting his ear.

From the witness box PC Adams said: "He lunged forward and bit me on my right ear. My right ear was hanging by a thread."

Officers eventually managed to wrestle Bland away and after a violent struggle he was arrested.

PC Adams was admitted to the plastic surgery department at Bradford Royal Infirmary where doctors sewed his partially severed ear back on.

Although Bland admitted that he had bitten the officer's ear he said that he had done it in self-defence. He said that he thought he was being attacked by the other man and added that he had not heard the police officers identify themselves.

Before the trial he had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon, but had denied a charge of wounding with intent.

Dean Martin, a friend of Bland's who was with him that night told the jury that the police had gone too far.

He said PC Adams had sprayed CS gas in his face and punched Bland while he was on the floor handcuffed.

But after nearly four hours of deliberation Bland was convicted.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report and Bland, of Bedivere Road, Lower Grange, will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on December 6.