How a night out changed this 32-year-old Leeds man's life forever

Mr Tuck was attacked in the early hours of April 26, 2013, after being invited back to the home Baronins shared with two other men who had befriended him during a night out in Leeds city centre.
Robert Tuck.Robert Tuck.
Robert Tuck.

Mr Tuck was planning a trip to Riga to celebrate his 30th birthday around the time of the incident and began talking to Baronins and the other two men about Latvia.

Baronins suddenly turned violent after they returned to the house on Dewsbury Road, Beeston.

Mr Tuck underwent life-saving surgery.

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Baronins was arrested and charged over the attack but was granted bail. He went on the run shortly before he was due to go on trial in July, 2014.

It was feared he may have fled the UK or was living in another part of the country.

A trial was held in his absence at Leeds Crown Court in February 2015. The jury found him guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Recorder Andrew Kershaw imposed an extended sentence as he considered Baronins to pose a significant risk to members of the public.

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It was ordered that he must serve a ten-year custodial sentence followed by a further ten years on licence.

Describing the horror of the attack, Recorder Kershaw said: “One has an unpleasant vision of a man in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor with his life heading towards an early end.”

After the sentencing hearing police increased their efforts to apprehend Baronins by launching an appeal.

West Yorkshire Police officers arrested him a month later in a betting shop in Harehills after being alerted by a member of the public who recognised him from a photograph in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

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After he was eventually sent to custody, Detective Inspector Ian Lawrence, of Leeds District CID, said: “He was responsible for a completely unprovoked and appallingly violent attack which left the victim with 
very serious life-changing injuries.

“We hope the fact he has now been caught and is starting a lengthy period in prison will provide some reassurance to the victim, his family and to the wider community.”