A jilted lover who bit off the ear of his ex-girlfriend's new partner in a savage attack has been jailed for 12 years.

David Kenny, of Headley Drove, New Addington, left the 26-year-old victim permanently disfigured after the "extremely violent" assault in his former girlfriend's house on November 3 last year.

The victim's girlfriend stored the torn-off part of ear in the freezer until paramedics arrived but surgeons were unable to reattach it. 

Police called to the house in Percy Road, South Norwood, at about 6.30am found the victim in the living room, holding his ear, and blood on the floor.

Kenny, described by police as "a dangerous man", had fled the scene of the attack but handed himself in to police later that day.

He was jailed on May 20 after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Detective constable Brad Stow, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Kenny is a dangerous man who has committed an extremely violent act.

"With the support of the victim and witness in this case we were able to disprove his defence and assure that Kenny received the considerable custodial sentence he deserves."