A PLUMBER who bit off a man's finger and spat it out into the street in a parking row has walked free from court.

Burnley Crown Court heard John Bracken, 52, who was on his way to the butcher's, lost his temper because a van the victim Terence Smith was in was partially blocking the pavement.

The victim's finger was taken with him to hospital in a cup of ice from a nearby pizza house but could not be saved.

Bracken's barrister said the finger had been ripped off by the defendant's false teeth.

Bracken, who had no previous convictions, was told by a judge his behaviour had been nothing short of a disgrace - and was the sort expected from yobs and louts, not somebody his age who had led a decent life.

Recorder Michael Murray, who had read 17 references on the defendant's behalf, added he richly deserved to go to prison but jail would potentially have the effect of crushing him and the rest of his life.

The defendant, of St Johns Road, Padiham, had admitted unlawful wounding, on March 19.

He was given 240 hours community punishment and must pay £1,000 costs.

Charles Brown, prosecuting, said Mr Smith had been a passenger in a van driven by his friend, which was making deliveries and collections in Burnley.

The vehicle was parked in Croft Street, was partly blocking an alleyway and the victim waited at the back of it.

The defendant appoached and objected to walking around the van.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Bracken was a hard-working family man.