TWO men have been jailed for an attack in which part of a man’s ear was bitten off and a stud ripped out of his eyebrow.

Vincent O’Neal was left lying half naked and unconscious on the pavement in Whitstable last August after being repeatedly punched and kicked in the head.

William Norman, 30, of Cromwell Road, Whitstable, who had admitted wounding Mr O’Neal intending to cause grievous bodily harm, was jailed for seven years. He had been responsible for the ear biting.

Co-accused Kevin Hildred, 31, of Highgate Road, Whitstable, was jailed for four years after admitting unlawful wounding. He had ripped out the stud then pulled down the unconscious man’s trousers and pants.

Canterbury Crown Court heard the fight was caught on CCTV. The Judge praised the effectiveness of the street camera and its operator that night which, although it did not save Mr O’Neal, did bring those responsible to justice.

He described the defendants’ behaviour that night as disgusting and depraved and said there was too much violence on the streets of East Kent.

The incident happened after the defendants, Mr O’Neal and others had been out drinking. At one point Mr O’Neal was said to be spoiling for a fight but when he was attacked, he could be seen backing away with his arms outstretched.

Both accused were said by their counsel to be sorry for their actions that night.