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Nunzia Del Viscio was sentenced for assaulting her ex-boyfriend at Edinburgh Sheriff's Court iStock

An Italian man was left needing 15 stitches after his ex-girlfriend ripped his testicle out of his scrotum with her teeth. The woman, who claimed to be acting in self defence, was convicted of assault.

Nunzia Del Viscio, 43, attacked her former boyfriend in his Edinburgh flat in May 2016. Del Viscio said she was acting in self defence when she embarked in a drug-fueled rampage destroying the 44-year-old Marcello Palma's flat and then biting into his genitals.

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Del Viscio, Palma and two other people met at a nightclub after work, the court heard. The four had been drinking and Del Viscio also admitted to having taken drugs, the BBC reported.

After the nightclub closed, the four headed to Palma's flat. The court heard from Palma that Del Viscio began "destroying" one of the bedrooms in the early hours of the morning.

He told her to calm down and leave, but mid-argument she bit his left testicle. Palma said he attempted to stop the flow of blood with a towel and called for an ambulance.

At Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Palma had his testicle placed back into the scrotum and was given 15 stitches.

Authorities found Del Viscio outside the flat with blood on her teeth and face. She had bruising on her face and injuries to her eyes. Del Viscio told police: "He hit me and I grabbed his balls".

Palma was described by police as being "fairly distraught," with the bedroom in disarray and pools of blood on the floor. When asked by defence solicitor Philip Templeton if he had caused the injuries to Del Viscio's face, Palma said he did but said he was attempting to stop her from biting him.

Del Viscio claimed she wanted to escape the flat but Palma pushed her onto the floor and began to punch her. "As he came to me I bit him. I just remember a noise and blood pouring into my mouth."

However, the victim said that she actually attacked him when he turned her down for a threesome.

Del Viscio was found guilty of assaulting Palma to his severe injury at his home on 23 May 2016. According to the BBC, Del Viscio was placed on a restriction of liberty order for six months, meaning she must remain at home between 22.00 and 6.00.

During her sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Del Viscio was also ordered to pay Palma £500 compensation.