AN UNEMPLOYED digger driver was placed behind bars last week after chomping a chunk out of his mother's boyfriend's ear.

David Allen, 26, was round for drinks at his mum's home in Sauchie, when the incident occurred.

On Tuesday, Mar 6, Stirling Sheriff Court heard there were four people in the living room, including Allen, his mother, her partner, and a friend of Allen's, and "all had begun consuming alcohol".

Prosecutor Kyrsten Buist said: "Out of nowhere, while the complainer was seated in a chair, Mr Allen took to his feet, bit him to his left ear, and thereafter spat a piece of ear out of his mouth onto the floor."

Police and paramedics were called and retrieved the severed ear section, part of a lobe, from the living room floor. But the 54-year-old, refused medical treatment and it was not re-attached.

Miss Buist said: "Part of his lobe is still missing."

Allen, of Gordon Drive, Alloa, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man to his injury and permanent disfigurement. The incident occurred about 9pm on June 27, 2016, in Schaw Court, Sauchie.

Scott McKenzie, defending, said Allen had been abusing alcohol and also taking Valium at the time.

Mr McKenzie told the court: "He feels extremely bad about it."

He added: "What sparked it off seems to be that some comment had been made about his late grandmother, but he can't remember what it was."

He said that relationships within the family were "now OK."

Revoking bail and remanding Allen in custody for reports, Sheriff David Mackie said he had pleded guilty to a "very serious, vicious assault".

Allen will appear for sentence at Alloa Sheriff Court on April 5.