A man who almost bit off his stepfather's ear in a row over Andy Murray's nationality escaped a jail sentence and was ordered to pay his victim £1,200 in compensation.

Lee Clarke was also instructed to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody and ordered to remain in his house between 8pm and 6am for the next 90 days.

Sentencing Clarke at Inverness Sheriff Court, Sheriff Chris Dickson told him: "This was an extremely serious offence where you have caused permanent disfigurement.

"It is accepted that you were acting under provocation in that you were in a head lock at the time, having difficulty breathing and you acted in hot blood.

"Since you are at low risk of re-offending, reached the age of 34 without conviction, I can deal with this other than sending you to prison."

At an earlier hearing, the court heard that a debate over a sporting star's nationality had started the argument.

After court, Clarke confirmed that it was world number one tennis star Andy Murray who was at the centre of the family row.

Staunch unionist Clarke, now aged 35, admitted assaulting stepfather, Alistair Wilson to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Mr Wilson was hospitalised to have a chunk of his right ear being sewn back on by surgeons.

Clarke didn't comment after sentencing but last month he said: "It was a silly argument over whether Andy Murray was British or Scottish.

"I have nothing against the Scots, most of my family are Scottish. But I regard myself as British. Andy is British, but he is also Scottish."

The court was told that Clarke of Evan Barron Road, was socialising with his mum, Mandy Wilson at her home in Esk Road, Inverness last August and stepdad Alistair.

But when the conversation turned towards Murray's national identity, the argument erupted.

His defence solicitor, Clare Russell said: "Alcohol and anger were factors. He has taken steps to address his anger issues.

"He was involved in a car accident and as a result suffers from epilepsy and cannot work. He received significant compensation and a trust fund was set up from which he derives an income.

"He is in a position to pay compensation to his stepfather. His guilty plea was tendered on the basis that there was provocation after an argument over the nationality of a sportsman.

"My client accepts there were other actions he could have taken to avoid this. It is a matter of deep regret that it involved a family member and he hopes to rekindle some kind of relationship with his stepfather if not only for his mother's sake."

It was the first conviction for the father-of-two and fiscal depute Michelle Molley, told the court that it was not clear who had started the fight.

She added: "Whilst Lee Clarke and Mr Wilson were on the ground, Clarke bit his right ear, severing the outer ear.

"Part of his ear was recovered from the hallway floor and delivered to medical staff at the hospital."

After being arrested by police, Clarke said: "It was self defence but I regret what I did."

He claimed during his police interview that Mr Wilson grabbed him in a headlock and pulled him to the floor.

Molley went on: "Clarke stated he was unable to breathe so he proceeded to bite what he believed was the victim's arm, but turned out to be the victim's ear."

"Under General Anaesthetic, the tissue was stitched back into place. Unfortunately, the reattached tissues turned blue, then black, which meant they were not healing and would have to be trimmed away."

She added that Mr Wilson declined plastic surgery and that the ear was functioning normally.

Shortly after the incident, Alistair posted pictures of the aftermath of his injury, including one of him in hospital, on social media.