A "JEKYLL and Hyde" character from High Wycombe has been jailed for almost biting a father's ear off in front of his four-year-old son.

Terry Johnson, 36, of Buckingham Close, approached Jay Perkins in the Octagon Shopping Centre, High Wycombe, on April 2 and attacked him after an argument spiralled out of control.

Johnson appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday for sentencing after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Laura Steele, prosecuting, told the court that Johnson tried to bite Mr Perkins' nose before sinking his teeth into the man's ear, almost fully ripping it from his head.

Mr Banham, defence counsel, said Mr Perkins was known to Johnson prior to the incident.

He said: "This wasn't just a random stranger. There were previous problems in the past."

The court heard that Johnson was under the influence of a cocktail of drink and drugs that had caused him to act as he did. Johnson had no recollection of the incident.

Mr Banham said his client was seeking help for an on-going problem with substance abuse, and asked the court to look favourably on his early plea of guilt.

Mr Banham said: "This man needs to be punished and it will be by a term of imprisonment, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and perhaps this is the turning point."

Summing up, Judge Tyrer said: "The facts of this case indicate you are a Jekyll and Hyde character. There is good in you, but when you are fuelled with drink and drugs a different person is seen.

"The effect of what you did to the boy's father cannot even be contemplated, it must have been appalling."

Johnson was sentenced to four years imprisonment.