A NEWTOWN man convicted of nose biting in a pub toilet has been jailed for two years.

Aaron Hassall was told by Judge Niclas Parry that his attack on Michael Griffiths at the Black Boy pub in Newtown was akin to him having used a weapon on his victim.

After an altercation between the pair Hassall followed Mr Griffiths upstairs to the toilet where he grabbed him around the throat and then bit him after asking if he intended to steal his bike, Mold Crown Court was told.

Mr Griffiths suffered cuts to his nose and reddening around his neck.

The court heard Hassall was in breach of a 52-week suspended sentence imposed in May for possession of cannabis with intent to supply and other drugs offences.

Judge Parry gave Hassall an 18-month term for the assault and activated six months of the suspended sentence which he said must be served consecutively.

“Whatever was said outside the pub your reaction was a gross overreaction,” said the judge. “You went upstairs clearly in a rage.

"The injury was a serious one and it was a sustained, albeit a brief assault.

“Biting someone is considered to be using a weapon.

“You were under a suspended sentence which you have already breached once before and been given a chance.”

Hassall, 24, of Francis Place, Newtown, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm on December 15, but was found guilty by a jury.

Prosecuting barrister Frances Willmott said the two men knew each other and that Hassall asked Mr Griffiths if he was intending to steal his bike.

“He told him to shut up and then bit him on the nose,” she said.

Defence barrister Brian Treadwell said Hassall had a cannabis problem, but he was conquering it and had secured good employment at a Newtown factory where he was promoted to a managerial role.

“He is very disappointed to find the inevitability of custody bringing a halt to the good progress he has been making,” said the barrister.