The man accused of biting off part of the ear of ex-Casualty actor Clive Mantle has claimed that he did so in self-defence.

Philip McGilvray, 33, has admitted to biting Mantle but he and Alan French, 32, of South Lanarkshire, deny wounding with intent.


The incident took place in the Quayside Travelodge on March 24 after Mantle left his room to ask McGilvray and French to be quiet.

"It was like being hit by a car. I was on my back and Mr Mantle was straight on top of me," McGilvray told Newcastle Crown Court today (February 21).

"All I had done was speak to some girls and then I had a big monster on me.

"I don't know why I did it, I could not get away, I did not know what he had in his hands - I thought he was trying to kill me."

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks replied: "You did it because when you are drunk your character changes and you decided that you were going to disfigure him."

The trial continues.