A THUG bit off the tip of his girlfriend’s son’s nose after bingeing on alcohol in a Swindon hotel room.

Sending Lee Little to prison for 22 months on Friday, Judge Peter Crabtree said the sentence was within the range where it could be suspended.

But he added: “This is not a case where a suspended sentence is appropriate. Having regard to the sentencing guideline on the imposition of custody sentences the offences are simply too serious given the aggravating features for any sentence other than an immediate custodial one.”

Swindon Crown Court heard 39-year-old Little, who has a history of attacking partners, had been staying at the Booth House Salvation Army hostel late last year after being released from prison on licence.

On December 15, he’d checked into the town centre Travelodge with his new partner and her son for a binge drinking session, as alcohol was not allowed inside the hostel. They’d bought white rum, Coca-Cola and rosé wine for the party.

In a basis of plea, which was not disputed by the Crown Prosecution Service, he said the woman and her son said they’d fought with another man earlier that day. He’d been concerned that the mother-and-son would rob him.

At some point in the evening, relations deteriorated and Little had been attacked by the son and bitten to the fingers, he said. He feared that his partner at one point had tried to intervene to enable her son to launch a further assault.

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Travelodge, Princes Street Picture: GOOGLE

However, he accepted that he managed to get the upper hand and, at that point, had bitten the tip of the other man’s nose. His victim fled from the hotel room. Little admitted turning to his partner, saying “are you happy now?” then kicking her in the head.

The man whose nose was bitten was treated first at Great Western Hospital then by facial injury specialists at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. He was awaiting further treatment. Little’s partner suffered bruising, black eyes and bites.

Little was arrested the next day. In interview he initially answered no comment before claiming he’d been assaulted by his partner’s son. He was unable to say how the man had suffered the bite to his nose.

Defending, Tony Bignall said his client had acted in excessive self-defence. He had admitted causing grievous bodily harm at an early stage in the court proceedings.

“It’s all a very sad outcome. Mr Little knows very well that there is only one place he will be going after today and, your honour, it’s just a question of how long,” the advocate said.

Little, formerly of Spring Close, Swindon, but appearing before court via video link from HMP Bullingdon, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm. He had 15 previous convictions, including a matter of breaching a non-molestation order in 2020 for which he had been recalled to prison on licence.

Judge Crabtree imposed a restraining order banning Little from contacting his victims. The order will last indefinitely.