Leeds dad ‘lost grip of baby’ as he was attacked by pal at head-wetting party

Leeds Crown Court heard Daryl Mitchell sunk his teeth into the victim’s forehead before gouging his eyes with his thumbs during the attack.

Peter Byrne, prosecuting, said the victim was holding his 24-day-old daughter at the time and lost his grip of the baby but she was unharmed.

The attack happened during a row between the two men as friends and family celebrated at a house in Bramley, Leeds, on December 15 last year.

The victim then tried to use his mobile phone to contact police but Mitchell knocked the phone out of his hand.

Police were contacted from a neighbour’s phone and Mitchell was arrested. He was found in possession of a small amount of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing cannabis and breach of a suspended sentence.

The court heard Mitchell has previous convictions for violence, burglary and public order offences.

Kate Bisset, mitigating, said Mitchell had a problem with alcohol and was sorry and ashamed for what he had done.

She said Mitchell disputed the prosecution’s claim that the victim was holding the baby at the time of the incident. The barrister said 31-year-old Mitchell was eager to mature and address his offending as he is due to be a grandfather.

Judge Geoffrey Marson, QC, gave Mitchell an eight month sentence. He told Mitchell he would sentence him on the basis that the victim had not been holding the baby.