A 32-year-old man who sank his teeth into another man's chin during a fight has been jailed for four years.

Michael Whelan was told by Judge Alan Conrad, QC, that he had used his teeth as a weapon and the injuries he had inflicted were painful and distressing and had left permanent scarring.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that in October last year Whelan was living in the YMCA Hostel in Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead, as was the victim Christopher Griffiths.

They did not get on and, on November 7, Whelan was unhappy he had to play pool against Mr Griffiths, who suggested they meet two days later "to sort it out."

Whelan responded by head-butting him and there was a scuffle before staff intervened and Whelan was taken outside, said Kim Egerton, prosecuting.

Later Whelan was with friends going to get alcohol when they met Mr Griffiths and his friends.

The two men agreed to have a one-to-one fight.

They walked down the side of the YMCA and Whelan punched him twice to the forehead and once to his right eye.

"Mr Griffiths was knocked to the ground and he jumped on him and bit a chunk out of his chin." she said.

A witness described Whelan "ragging" the victim around by his teeth before he was dragged off him.

Whelan walked off but came back and punched him again and demanded Mr Griffiths apologise.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was found to have a large laceration to his chin and had to be transferred for specialist treatment to Aintree Hospital, where he was told he would need a skin graft.

When arrested and interviewed Whelan admitted punching him. He after Mr Griffiths swung blows at him, which missed, "in rage had gone at him on the floor and bitten his chin. He accepted Mr Griffiths was not in a position to defend himself."

Whelan, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

Philip Astbury, defending, said he had previous convictions for violence but nothing so serious.

He had not been long out of custody at the time of the offence and a long-term relationship had just broken up.

"He is anxious to make the most of his time in custody," he added.