A 43-YEAR-OLD man from Colne is in prison in the Canary Islands after allegedly biting off his wife's finger.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed that Graham Humphrey, who was living in the south of Tenerife with his wife, had been charged with ill treatment and causing injury to his wife.

The spokesman said Julie Humphrey claimed he head-butted her while wearing a motorcycle crash helmet and then bit off her little finger and he was sent to prison by a judge to await trial.

Mrs Humphrey, a mother-of-two, is currently being cared for at a hostel for abused women.

The pair, who have been married for around four years, moved from their home in Cotton Tree Lane, Colne, to Tenerife three months ago.

Mr Humphrey's mother, who asked not to be named, said she had not heard from her son recently and she was shocked at the news he was in prison.

She said: "I've not been told anything about it. It is a shock and I feel really ashamed about it all. He's my only son and he has caused me a lot of aggro with this marriage because they have had problems since day one. I've had two letters from him and a phone call since he left. I have been waiting for another letter from him and this is obviously why I haven't had one.

"They row over money and her not having a job. I have refused to accept the marriage or even have a wedding photograph of them. "They suddenly went off to Tenerife to try and start a new life together about three months ago. I was very ill when they left so I never really found out whether their move was permanent or not.

"I feel really sorry for him because he did really feel a lot about her but it was obvious it just wouldn't work. "

Mr Humphrey worked for 17 years at the former John Cotton textile mill in Spring Gardens Mill, Colne.

His first wife, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: "We separated but after we divorced we became quite amicable again.

"I knew he and Julie were having problems and me and his mother were half expecting him to be back soon if they split up.

"I am upset he has ended up in the state he has because even when you split up with someone your feelings don't just go away and I have know him since he was about 17.

"But it doesn't really surprise me. It's his poor mum I feel sorry for because she's been left here all on her own."