A DRUG addict from Tavistock who bit a chunk out of a man’s cheek leaving him scarred for life has been spared jail.

Kallum Lesslie, 20, assaulted Mr Harrison-French whilst under the influence of crack cocaine, Plymouth Crown Court heard last Friday (August 4).

The victim was left with a flesh wound about the size of a 10p piece and has struggled to sleep following the horrific attack.

The pair got into a ‘verbal altercation’ after Lesslie accused Mr Harrison-French of swerving his van towards him as he walked along Plymouth Road in Tavistock — a claim the victim denied.

The court heard that Mr Harrison-French grabbed Lesslie from behind as he started walking towards his [the victim’s] wife, after she said she was calling the police.

Lesslie then turned and bit Mr Harrison-French, who was left with blood pouring down his face, the court was told.

The court heard that the assault, which happened on Monday, February 6, left Mr Harrison-French scarred for life.

In his victim impact statement he added that he avoided Plymouth Road, was considering moving out of the area and had referred himself for counselling due to anxiety and insomnia.

Nick Lewin, mitigating, told the court that Lesslie had made extensive efforts to turn his life around over the last three months and had stopped taking drugs.

‘He was just 13-years-old when he first took drugs and aged 15 he became addicted to speed,’ he said.

Mr Lewin added: ‘He had a difficult upbringing with both his parents addicted to drugs, undiagnosed ADHD, and being in and out of care.

‘It is surprising it is his first time in court.’

He added: ‘He is a mile away from the man he was three months ago.

‘He doesn’t want to be in court, he doesn’t want to be incarcerated, and he doesn’t want to be like his parents.’

Lesslie, of Buddle Close, Tavistock, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Harrison-French occasioning actual bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to the possession of an offensive weapon after he was found with a knuckleduster on Saturday, April 8.

Judge Paul Darlow handed Lesslie a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Lesslie was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, a thinking skills activity for 19 sessions, rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

After the court hearing, a Tavistock police spokesperson said: ‘It was a nasty assault which has affected the victim and his family ever since. But despite their fears they had the courage to follow this through to a positive conclusion.’