A MAN who bit off a large part of his victim's ear during an outbreak of serious violence in the centre of Aberystwyth has been told he will receive a long prison sentence.

John Howell, aged 27, was convicted by a jury at Swansea crown court of wounding with intent on Friday.

Howell, of Bwlch yr Allt, Cwmduad, near Llandysul, was also found guilty of affray, as was Roland Ardizzoni, 26, of Church Street, Llandysul.

Ardizzoni was also advised by the judge to bring a bag to the sentencing hearing and to prepare himself for an immediate prison sentence.

The jury had heard how violence erupted shortly after Howell and Ardizzoni walked passed a group of men around 2am on May 17 last year.

Luke Williams and his friends had been out socialising after playing golf together.

There was a "very brief exchange of words" but nothing else happened at that stage.

But Ardizzoni turned and threw a coin at Mr Williams’ group. The two groups confronted each other, said Ian Ibrahim, prosecuting.

Howell was by far the most aggressive but it was Ardizzoni who threw the first punch.

Howell launched a "no holds barred" attack on Mr Williams, and at one point latched his teeth onto his left ear tearing off "a large chunk."

The violence was filmed by a CCTV camera and Arizzoni could be seen "trying to punch just about everyone he could see."

Mr Williams was taken to hospital and although a friend found the piece of ear in the street surgeons could not reattach it.

After they had been arrested both Howell and Ardizzoni claimed they had been attacked and had defended themselves.

The guilty verdicts were unanimous.

The judge, Mr Recorder P.A.Hopkins, said he would have to decide whether Howell was a dangerous offender as defined by law.

Howell was immediately remanded into custody and warned a substantial prison sentence would follow.

Ardizzoni was granted bail until the sentencing hearing, listed for April 22.