Leeds man jailed for nightclub glass attack that left victim blind

Gareth Dean smashed a bottle into Matthew Syron's face at a club in Leeds

A man has been jailed for 10 years and eight months for blinding a father-of-two in a "sickening" glass attack.

Matthew Syron, 32, lost his sight after Gareth Dean, 37, smashed a bottle into his face at Revolucion de Cuba on Call Lane in Leeds on 27 December.

Dean, of Elm Tree Close in Leeds, had admitted causing GBH with intent.

The victim, a former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player who now lives in Australia, has since regained some blurred vision in one eye.

His attacker has 10 previous convictions for 15 offences, including serious violence, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Sentencing, Judge Richard Mansell KC told him: "I have no hesitation in deciding that you are dangerous."

He described the attack as "unprovoked, cowardly and sickening", with defence barrister Michael Levy offering no explanation for his client's actions.

As well as his jail term, Dean will serve the maximum term of five years on licence.

Matthew Syron outside Leeds Crown Court

Speaking outside court, Mr Syron said: "Hopefully he will learn, but I doubt he will."

The court heard the impact of his injuries had left him suicidal.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Syron said: "I have gone from being a person that doesn't need anything from anyone to now being a 32-year-old that's like a baby. It is soul-destroying.

"I hate every day."

Both men had been on a night out with friends after watching a rugby league match earlier that day when the attack took place.

The friendship groups had joined together in Revolucion de Cuba and Dean had an arm-wrestling competition with one of Mr Syron's friends, which was said to have ended in good spirits.

But later, when Mr Syron was stood at the bar with his back to his attacker, CCTV footage showed Dean reaching across another man and smashing a glass into his face.

He then left the scene and went to another bar to continue his night out before handing himself in to police six days later.

He said he had been drinking heavily on the night and tested positive for cocaine after he was arrested.

Mr Syron was injured in Leeds city centre on 27 December

Mr Syron, a self-employed electrician originally from Kirkstall, had been home for Christmas to visit friends and family.

He has been unable to return to Australia due to his ongoing medical treatment.

In a victim statement, his fiancée Keone said the couple's "dream" to have more children was "on hold".

She added: "Instead of planning a homecoming with my partner I'm planning appointments with a carer."

Well-wishers raised more than £58,000 for Mr Syron in the wake of the attack, which left him needing 40 stitches in his eyes and unable to work.

He will have to pay towards his medical care in Australia.

Mr Syron is now campaigning for a change in the law to ban the use of glasses and bottles in nightclubs late at night.

Speaking after Dean was sentenced, Det Insp Dan Ridgway said: "This was a horrendous, unprovoked attack on a man out enjoying the Boxing Day celebrations.

"I know the injuries that the victim suffered during this assault continue to have a massive impact on not only his life, but that of his family too."

He said he wished Mr Syron's family well "in their quest to amend licensing laws to try and prevent attacks of a similar nature occurring in the future".