Man loses nose after argument

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): When you go to San Francisco, you'll get a flower in your hair, or so a romantic song goes. But when you visit a moody buddy in Medan, you may lose your nose.

Last week, Trida Sipayung, a father of five children got five months imprisonment for biting off his close friend Forkenli Siringoringo's nose last March during a bitter argument.

"Forkenli has to bear physical disfigurement all his life because of the accused's shameful act," Judge Haryanto Wahyudi said in his verdict, Antara reported.

The incident happened when Forkenly tried to mediate in a dispute between Tarida and a certain Gultom. Tarida and Forkenly, who were once classmates, were engaged in a friendly conversation, but Forkenly turned out to be a terrible peacemaker who attempted to put out fire with fire.

Tarida became enraged when Forkenli asked him why he was at odds with Gultom.

"Cornered, Tarida resorted to the dirty trick of biting his opponent's nose and spitting with 1.5 inches of it," the judge said. (pan)