A Suusex MP is urging the Home Office to keep a closer watch on judges who hand down "excessive" sentences.

Des Turner, MP for Brighton Kemp Town, was meeting Home Secretary David Blunkett today to highlight the case of a Brighton law student who was given a five-year jail term for biting off the top of a man's ear.

Mr Turner will hand the Home Secretary a 600-name petition opposing the length of the sentence imposed on Jess Morris.

The petition was gathered by Morris's family to support their campaign to get his sentence reduced on appeal.

Dr Turner said: "It's quite clear this sentence is completely out of kilter with the degree of severity of sentencing for ear-biting offences.

"This guy had an impeccable character and has basically got five years in jail for defending himself."

Morris's victim, Nathan Hunt, tried to stop a row between Morris, 29, and his girlfriend.

Morris's family say more serious crimes had resulted in shorter jail terms and Dr Turner was urging the Home Secretary to ensure judges are not in a position to dole out "idiosyncratic" sentences.

"What I'm looking for is the Home Secretary and the Lord Chancellor to remedy this situation," he said.

"The appeal courts have to take their course in this case, but there's got to be better monitoring of judges' sentencing patterns."

Morris, of Wilmington Way, Patcham, Brighton, was convicted after Lewes Crown Court heard he attacked Mr Hunt in West Street, Brighton, on November 16 last year.

He claimed he was attacked and feared for his life.