Large stripy creature losing head, biting old Trojan priest (7)

I believe the answer is:

laocoon

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'priest' is the definition.
(I have seen 'priest of Apollo' mean 'laocoon' so perhaps 'priest' could also mean 'laocoon')

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for laocoon that I've seen before include "priest of Apollo" , "person who warned of Trojan horse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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