A MAN who bit off part of someone’s ear outside a pub three years ago has been spared jail.

Ross Keir was remanded in custody last month after twice breaching community-based sentences.

Sheriff Charles Macnair decided to give Keir one last chance and placed him on a tag, with a curfew meaning he has to remain home between 7pm and 7am for a period of 12 months.

But he warned him he was on "extremely shaky ground".

Keir, 31, formerly of Alexander Road, Glenrothes, and latterly of Segal House, Dunfermline, appeared back at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He had previously admitted that on February 12, 2017, at Monty’s, Guildhall Street, he assaulted a barman in the course of his employment by punching him on the face.

He also admitted that in Guildhall Street he assaulted a customer by biting his ear, causing a part of it to detach, to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement. CCTV video showed the customer kicking out at Keir before the two started struggling on the pavement.

The attack occurred almost three years ago.

The victim had confronted Keir following the unprovoked attack on the barman.

This escalated into a fight and Keir bit the man’s ear as he held him in a headlock outside the pub.

The victim could be seen on CCTV holding his ear after the assault. The top part of his ear was bitten off, he was left permanently disfigured and needed plastic surgery.

In another incident on August 9, 2017, Keir issued threats at his family home.

He attended at his parent's address with his daughter and a short time later said he was taking her to the park.

Keir's mother contacted him half an hour later but didn't get a response so went to look for them.

When she found them, he started to shout and swear at her.

She made her way home with her granddaughter, locking the door and closing the blinds.

He tried to get in and shouted that he was going to "smash the house up".

Witnesses became fearful and contacted the police.

When officers arrived they noticed that neighbours were "shaken" by the incident, depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said.

Keir was originally placed on a community payback order but this was not completed.

After the initial sentencing, he spent a long period in hospital after breaking both legs.

Defence solicitor Chris Sneddon said the breaches were "bad management" rather than his client ignoring the court.

He added that Keir had not committed any offences in two and a half years.

Sheriff Macnair told Keir: "You are on extremely shaky ground.

"On one view you are lucky to have received a restriction of liberty order for the offence at Monty's.

"If you breach the order imposed today, you fail to turn up or you're late it will come straight back here and you will get a very lengthy prison sentence."