A REVELLER who bit off a man's finger in a drunken brawl today started an 18- month prison sentence.

And a judge has warned this weekend's drinkers that alcohol-fuelled violence will not be tolerated in York.

Jody Haw, 20, of Malvern Avenue, Acomb, York, bit through the little finger of his victim, Alan Harris, after following him out of The Gallery nightclub. A fight had started after Mr Harris bumped into Haw's friend in the club.

Judge David Bentley, sitting at York Crown Court, told Haw: "One of the scourges of life in cities like York is the amount of drunken violence you get. It makes decent people think twice about coming into town. I am concerned with deterring other young men, who will be out drinking this weekend, from resorting to the kind of violence that you resorted to."

Mr Harris had visited The Gallery, in Clifford Street, York, on April 29 last year.

He had bumped into a friend of Haw's on some stairs inside the club, and he and his girlfriend had decided to leave after Haw and his companion gave them intimidating stares.

But they were followed out into the street.

James Hargan, prosecuting, said: "The defendant followed and punched the complainant in the face, which was seen by the doormen of the club who ran over to break it up.

"As they pulled the defendant off, the complainant realised that his little finger on his left hand was clenched in his teeth."

The complainant's finger was connected only by skin. It had to be amputated in York Hospital after it went gangrenous.

Mr Hargan said: "This was the first night out for Mr Harris in six months since his first child was born.

"Now he doesn't want to go out and he finds sleeping very difficult."

The court heard that the attack happened only 12 days after Haw had appeared before York Magistrates for kicking a taxi in Clifford Street.

He had been given a conditional discharge.

Haw pleaded guilty to unlawful and malicious wounding.

Updated: 11:12 Saturday, January 25, 2003