NHS boss who headbutted Leeds United love rival Tony Dorigo suspended from work

Tony Dorigo (left) and NHS worker Gareth Senior (right) outside Leeds Magistrates' Court. Senior was fined for attacking the former Leeds United footballer in a White Company store.

The NHS boss who headbutted Leeds United hero Tony Dorigo in a fit of jealousy has been suspended from work pending an investigation into his conduct.

Gareth Senior, 48, faces the sack over the assault conviction he received for attacking the Elland Road legend after spotted him out shopping with his ex-partner.

The IT manager flew into a rage in The White Company store in Leeds city centre on February 6 this year as Mr Dorigo was with his new partner Claire Joss.

Mr Dorigo was shoved into a towel display before being headbutted to the face.

Tony Dorigo (left) and new girlfriend Claire Joss outside Leeds Magistrates' Court, where Gareth Senior (right) was fined for attacking the former Leeds United footballer in a White Company store.

Details of the suspension emerged as his solicitor, Stuart Field, offered mitigation after Senior was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Tuesday.

Mr Field told Leeds Magistrates Court: "The consequences of this saga have been catastrophic.

"He has been told he has been suspended from work and there will be an investigation and they will now decide whether his employment will continue.

"He is employed in the NHS. Although he isn't in the area of care there are high standards in place in terms of the employment there.

Senior, of Mozart Way, Churwell, offered to enter a guilty plea to the lesser charge of common assault at an earlier hearing but it was rejected by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Field added: "He has never tried to draw back from the fact that an assault took place."

The solicitor said Senior had not planned the assault on Mr Dorigo, who was first introduced to Ms Joss by the defendant at a music event in Manchester.

Senior's relationship with Ms Joss broke down months later and she began seeing Mr Dorigo.

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Mr Field said: "It was through a chance meeting that, unfortunately, sparks were kindled between Miss Joss and Mr Dorigo.

Describing the attack, he added: "He reacted not out of pure jealousy but a mixture of emotions - betrayal and everything else and on the spur of the moment he marched up to Mr Dorigo and the rest is history.

"It was something utterly out of character.

"It was something he has not done before."

The Yorkshire Evening Post has approached NHS England for a comment.