A man bit a police officer's ear so hard during a violent struggle that he left it "hanging by a thread", a Court heard.

The jury at Bradford Crown Court was told Troy Bland, 27, threw PC John Adams over his shoulder, got on top of him and champed down on his ear so hard PC Adams needed 14 stitches and plastic surgery.

Simon Harring, prosecuting, told the court that Bland had stripped to the waist and was fighting with another man outside the Ferrand's Arms, Bingley, in April when police arrived.

He said the officers saw him carrying a knuckle duster and holding a metal chain in his other hand.

PC Adams told the court: "I approached the defendant and I realised he had weapons. I tried to hold his hands down but he basically threw me over his shoulder on to the floor. I landed flat on my back and he punched me once on my left leg.

"He then lunged forward and bit me on my right ear. My right ear lobe was hanging by a thread."

The officers eventually managed to wrestle Bland away and, after another violent struggle, he was arrested.

PC Adams was taken to Airedale Hospital before being transferred to the plastic surgery department at Bradford Royal Infirmary where he had his partially severed ear sewn back on.

The jury was told that Bland, of Bedivere Road, Lower Grange, has pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon but denies a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

When he was interviewed by police the defendant admitted biting the ear but says he thought he was being attacked by the other man and was acting in self-defence.

He also said he did hear the police identify themselves as officers.

The trial continues.