'Dangerous' man who blinded former rugby player after glassing him is jailed

Gareth Dean, 37, glassed Matthew Syron, 33, in an unprovoked attack in Revolución de Cuba in Leeds on Boxing Day last year.

Leeds Crown Court heard how Matthew, who moved to Australia in 2012, had been in the bar with friends and that there was 'no sign of trouble.' Shortly after midnight, Matthew was stood facing the bar when he felt someone brush past him.

Dean then leaned over and smashed a glass in the centre of his face, which caused it to shatter. The shards then went into his face and eyeballs which left Matthew, who is originally from Leeds, instantly blinded by the attack.

Prosecutor Michael Smith said: "Mr Syron fell immediately to the floor realising that his vision had gone totally black. He has experienced pain before but nothing like that. This was a different level of seriousness altogether.

"They did not know each other and had no arguments and had very little interaction in the bar. It was an entirely unprovoked attack."

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Dean was then spotted leaving the premises and continuing his night by going on to drink at another bar.

Matthew's brother said when he arrived at hospital, he realised the father-of-two had “blood pouring from both eyes”.

Ex-Leeds Rhinos rugby player Matthew needed surgery that night to remove the glass and since then, he has undergone further operations. He can almost make out objects with his left eye and see light in his right eye but it's currently not known if his sight will improve any further.

Dean handed himself in at Elland Road Police Station on January 2 where admitted causing GBH with intent and was remanded into custody. He admitted he had downed 15 pints and had been drinking since 11am on the day of the attack and he tested positive for cocaine on his arrest.

Dean, of Leeds, has ten previous convictions for 15 offences. He was jailed for four and a half years in 2010, after he was part of a group that beat a man unconscious with a pool cue in a pub.

Dean was then jailed again for 28 months in 2017 after admitting GBH without intent, for punching a man twice and fracturing his cheek bone.

Mitigating, Michael Levy said: "This, on any view, is an absolutely atrocious and appalling incident. A number of lives have been tragically changed forever in just a few seconds. It's difficult to feel any sympathy for my client, he is clearly the author of his own misfortune. It was fuelled by alcohol and drugs, which is sadly often the case."

He added Dean's early guilty plea was his best mitigation and that he "expressed some genuine remorse”. Mr Levy also said Dean was "capable of acting decently and responsibly” but no explanation was provided as to why he attacked Matthew.

Judge Richard Mansell described the incident as a “cowardly and sickening attack” and said Dean had demonstrated “no remorse”. He said he had “no hesitation to find him dangerous”.

Judge Mansell also rejected the claims the attack was not premeditated, with Dean “quite positioning himself to strike” Matthew, using a “highly-dangerous weapon”.

Dean was sentenced to ten years and eight months in jail, with an extended five years' licence period.

A Go Fund Me page was created for Matthew shortly after the incident - you can donate to here. Matthew has called for a change in the law to ban glass bottles in bars after 9pm. Click here to add your signature.