A JURY took nearly 31/2 hours to find the case against a Fife man accused of biting part of someone’s nose off not proven.

Russell Kuz admitted sinking his teeth into Gary Edwards’ flesh as the pair grappled with each other, but insisted he was acting in self-defence.

The 27-year-old, from Dunfermline, was accused of assaulting Mr Edwards in Harlem nightclub to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Kuz, of West Baldridge Road, was alleged to have attacked 36-year-old Mr Edwards in the Dunfermline nightclub on March 26 of last year.

He denied the charge and lodged a special defence claiming he was being attacked by Mr Edwards at the time.

The jury heard evidence from both men during the course of the two-day trial, which took place at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

It ended yesterday following lengthy deliberations by the jurors.

During the trial they heard two very different versions of events as to what happened on the night in question.

Mr Edwards told them Kuz sank his teeth into his flesh and ripped the tip of his nose off moments after he had walked into the nightclub.

He said he had gone out for the evening with some friends and ended up in Harlem in the centre of Dunfermline.

Kuz, he alleged, told one of his friends he hated people making fun of him.

Without warning Kuz lunged at Mr Edwards knocking him over and the pair struggled on the floor.

Mr Edwards admitted threatening the accused and was then bitten.

He did not realise the tip of his nose was missing until he was outside the club.

It was found, packed in ice and Mr Edwards was driven to hospital where doctors tried to reattach it.

The graft was only partially successful and he has been left scarred for life.

Defence solicitor Chris Sneddon showed the jury CCTV footage recorded inside the nightclub, which showed Mr Edwards apparently making the first move.

However, he insisted they were involved in a confrontation at the time.

Kuz told the jury he was worried about the way Mr Edwards was behaving and tried to calm him down.

Kuz said the complainer’s attack took him by surprise and he was only defending himself when he bit him.