THREE men have been sentenced to a total of more than 15 years in prison after an attack on an Appleby man in which part of his ear was bitten off.

Callum Stigant, 23, James Harrison, 20, and Travis Sisson, 20, all appeared before a judge at Carlisle Crown Court today, charged with grievous bodily harm on June 30, this year.

The court heard at around 9pm police were called after reports three men had entered a property on Scattergate Crescent in the town, before 'seriously' assaulting a 35-year-old man.

He was punched and kicked, and part of his ear was bitten off.

Stigant, of Leith Close, Penrith, pleaded guilty to GBH with intent and received seven years in prison.

Harrison, of Knock, Appleby, pleaded guilty to GBH with intent and received six years and eight months in prison.

Sisson, of Sanderson's Croft, Kirkby Thore, pleaded not guilty to GBH with intent, but was found guilty. He received one year and eight months in prison.

DC Vicky Hughes, an officer involved in the case, said: "These sentences show that we do not tolerate violence in Cumbria.

"This was a particularly serious offence, and I am pleased that justice has been served today.

"Cumbria is one of the safest places to live and work, and we work hard to keep it that way.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of violence to report it to us so that we can investigate and take action.”

Anyone who would like to report an assault should call Cumbria Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.