An ex-student has been cleared of biting off part of another man's bottom lip.
Matthew Anderson had been accused of carrying out the assault after he got involved in a fight at Essex University.
He denied wounding student Matthew Boyle with intent and was cleared following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. After the unanimous verdict yesterday, Mr Anderson, 20, was formally discharged by the court.
The prosecution had alleged Mr Anderson was responsible for biting off part of Mr Boyle's lip during a fight at the university on February 2. The court heard how the bitten-off piece of lip was later recovered but by that time, surgeons were unable to replace it and Mr Boyle is left scarred for life.
Mr Anderson, of Azalea Court, Colchester, admitted getting involved in a fight with Mr Boyle but told police he did not bite him.
Published Friday, January 17, 2003
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