Man jailed for glass attack in Leeds which blinded dad-of-two
Gareth Dean pleaded guilty to hitting Matthew Syron in the face with a glass just after Christmas
Last updated 4th Mar 2024
A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years for a glass attack in Leeds which left a dad-of-two partially blind.
Matthew Syron, who now lives in Australia, was back in Leeds visiting family for Christmas when he was glassed by Gareth Dean on a Boxing Day night out.
Leeds Crown Court heard how Dean, 37, from Colton, had 10 previous convictions for 15 offences, including robberies and violent attacks.
He was jailed for 10 years and eight months, with an additional five years to be served on license. The judge told him his prison term had been reduced by a third due to the fact he had entered a guilty plea.
The court heard how Matthew had been at Revs de Cuba with a group of friends and the defendant was in the same bar with his own friends. The pair were not known to each other, but the two groups did have some interaction in the bar which led to an arm wrestle. This seemed to be light-hearted with 'no sign of any trouble'.
Later in the night, Matthew was stood at the bar when the defendant reached his arm around him and smashed a glass into his face. He fell to the floor and realised his eyesight had gone completely black.
'Soul-destroying'
After the attack Matthew underwent surgery to have pieces of glass removed from his eyes and face. He has since undergone more operations and has had around 40 stitches in his eyes, but he does not know whether his sight will ever return. In his right eye he is able to see blurry objects, but in his left eye he can only see light. He currently has a buckle fitted to one of his eyes which causes it to constantly water, meaning he spends most of the time with his eyes closed.
Due to the ongoing medical treatment he won't be able to go home to Australia for another six-eight weeks. It means when he does return, he will have spent around six months away from his children who are just one and three. He has missed key milestones like his daughter's first steps, and his fiancee has been left to try and keep his electrical business going on her own.
The court was played a video interview of Matthew speaking about the impact the attack had on him. He said: "I was a business owner, a father, an athlete - my life was perfect.
"This took everything from me. My business is suffering, my family is suffering. I'm dependant on my mum and dad and brother.
"I can't put toothpaste on a toothbrush, I can't wash properly.
"I've gone from a person that doesn't need any help to being a 32-year-old that's like a baby. It's soul-destroying.
"I hate every day."
The court heard he suffers daily headaches and struggles to sleep because he suffers horrific nightmares.
Family impact statements
The court also heard statements from Matthew's brother Thomas who spoke about how he was unable to sleep for three days after the attack, and Matthew's mother Sharon who says her son's life was 'ruined in an instant'.
She said: "It breaks my heart every day to see him struggle. I feel anger and hatred towards the person responsible.
"Not only has he taken his eyes, he has taken his life - the life he had before this attack."
Matthew's fiancee said the thought that he may never be able to see his children again is 'truly devastating'.
She said: "Instead of planning a homecoming, I'm planning appointments with a carer.
"Instead of planning a wedding, we're planning how to keep our business."
'An unprovoked, cowardly and sickening act'
In passing sentence, the judge told Dean: "After committing this unprovoked, cowardly and sickening act, you left the scene and went to another bar, demonstrating no remorse whatsoever."
He sentenced him to 10 years and 8 months in prison plus an extended five years on license.
Matthew has since begun a campaign for stricter rules in nightclubs, including banning glasses and scanning IDs after a certain time.
An online fundraiser set up to support him saw £31,000 raised for his treatment.