Horror Leeds pub-fight victim needed surgery to remove his eye after being 'sucker punched'

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A thug who “rolled up his sleeves” and waded into a fight outside a city-centre pub blinded a man with a single punch.

Liam Abbott was jailed for the sickening attack that left surgeons with no option but to remove the victim’s eye.

Leeds Crown Court heard that the man was no longer able to work in his chosen job.

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Abbott, 27, admitted a charge of GBH without intent. He appeared alongside his friend, 27-year-old Edward Green, who admitted affray having started the fight outside the Horse & Trumpet on The Headrow.

The court heard that CCTV picked up the victim outside the pub shortly before 8pm on the night of September 18.

Abbott (pictured) punched the man with such ferocity outside the pub, he required surgery to remove his eye. (pics by WYP / Google Maps)Abbott (pictured) punched the man with such ferocity outside the pub, he required surgery to remove his eye. (pics by WYP / Google Maps)
Abbott (pictured) punched the man with such ferocity outside the pub, he required surgery to remove his eye. (pics by WYP / Google Maps) | WYP / Google Maps

Green was also outside and was accusing an elderly man of stealing his phone. Punches were thrown and the victim intervened.

Punches were then thrown between Green and the victim. Abbott then approached with his sleeves rolled up and “sucker punched” the victim, before walking away.

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Patrolling police quickly arrived and arrested both Green and Abbott.

The victim was taken to hospital with the laceration to his eye. The eyeball was black and found to be ruptured.

Mitigating for Abbott, Caroline Abraham said: “It’s a tragic state of affairs. Nothing could detract how deeply unpleasant his role was.”

She said he had managed to stay out of trouble since 2016 and that his role in this attack was “impulsive and spontaneous”.

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Miss Abraham said he had unstable personality disorder but had “genuine remorse”.

For Green, Ian Hudson said he had a difficult upbringing and spent several years being homeless and living in a tent.

He said he had been drinking that night and added: “He wishes he could turn back the clock. He will face his punishment today. He is regretful and remorseful.”

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Judge Howard Crowson told Abbott: “I accept it was unplanned, but there was no need for you to be involved at all. It was a deliberate decision to assault this man.”

Abbott, of Buckton Mount, Beeston, was jailed for 22 months.

Judge Crowson told Green: “You have a worse record for violence and although you started this, you were not responsible.”

Green, of Brownberrie Avenue, Horsforth, was given a two-year community order, a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement and 25 rehabilitation days.

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