A MAN bit off part of a pal’s ear in a brutal attack.

James Kempster tore off a 10cm by 4cm chunk of Albert Smith’s ear with his teeth during the brutal fight.

But Kempster has been spared jail – after a judge sympathised with his victim’s plea to forgive him.

James Kempster walked free from Southampton Crown Court after being handed a 12-month suspended sentence after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Daily Echo:

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay £500 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

Kempster was sentenced on the day that Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, pictured below, was banned from football for four months for biting Italian defender Georgio Chiellini during a World Cup match in Brazil.

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The court heard yesterday how Kempster, 50, attacked Mr Smith during a fight at Bury Brickfield Park, Marchwood Road, Totton, where they both live.

The court was not told what sparked the fight between the pair.

Prosecutor Mary Aspinall-Miles said: “This was an assault in the travelling community on a permanent settlement where there is a code of conduct and police were called.”

But the court heard how Mr Smith had since declared it was a “fair fight” and the two had made up.

Daily Echo:

Above: Kempster is arrested after a fight at Wickham Horse Fair last year

Ms Aspinall-Miles said: “They are best of friends again and he was keen to assist Mr Kempster.”

Suspending the sentence for two years Judge Peter Ralls said: “Sometimes disputes between colleagues and friends get out of hand.

“It is not a good idea to bite people’s ears off. It isn’t acceptable in any society.

“But you pleaded guilty at a later stage and I understand the attitude of the victim and that makes a difference.”

Kempster has a previous conviction for his part in a mass brawl in front of hundreds of people at the annual Wickham Horse Fair.

A court heard how bystanders had watched on in horror as members of the rival Kempster and Keet families fought in the village high street using weapons, including a catapult and a baton.

Kempster was seen brandishing a whip and admitted causing actual bodily harm.

A judge at Portsmouth Crown Court handed him a three-year community order, ordered him to do 140 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 costs and imposed an exclusion order from the Knowle and Soberton areas and a three-year banning order from Wickham Horse Fair.