Leeds thug on the run in Spain after attacking his girlfriend's dad at her 21st birthday at social club

Joshua Tiernan is believed to be on the run in Spain over the attack in which he left his victim 'looking like someone from a Rocky movie'

Leeds Crown Court heard the victim's eye was swollen "like a tennis ball" after he was kicked in the head during the violence at Yeadon Liberal Club.

Tiernan, 21, failed to attend court for his sentencing over the incident on November 11, 2018.

A warrant was issued for his arrest as a judge imposed a 27-month sentence for affray.

Tiernan's pal Liam Sullivan, 23, was jailed for eight months for his involvement in the incident.

Nick Adlington, prosecuting, said the victim arrived at the club at 9pm on the evening of the incident.

He greeted his daughter and her friends then went to the bar where Sullivan approached him and asked him if he remembered making threats to him the previous summer.

The dad asked Sullivan not to create any problems at his daughter's party but Sullivan threw glances at him for the rest of the evening.

Later that evening, around 11.30am, shouting was heard outside the club and Sullivan was seen holding the victim in a headlock on the ground.

Tiernan kicked him once on the side of the head and tried to kick him again but the victim's nephew intervened.

Both defendants appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Mr Adlington said the victim was bleeding heavily, had a swollen right eye, cheek and jaw and "looked like someone from the Rocky movie".

Both defendants left and were stopped by police as they had blood on their clothing.

The pair told the officers they had fought with each other and another person who they did not know and were allowed to go.

The victim was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he was told he had a fractured eye socket and cheekbone.

He needed to have surgery to have a metal plate fitted to his eye socket and cheek bone.

In a statement read to the court, the victim described his injuries as "life-changing".

He suffers from headaches, blurred vision and nerve damage to the right side of his face.

He also described how he felt scared when out in public.

The Leeds United fan said he felt too afraid to go to matches because it made him feel anxious.

Tiernan, of Broad Lane, Bramley, and Sullivan, of Town Street, Bramley, pleaded guilty to affray.

Christopher Dunn, for Tiernan, said his client was absent from the hearing and is currently in Spain.

He said Tiernan only kicked the victim in the head once.

Philip Morris, for Sullivan, said both defendants had helped set up the party the evening before.

Mr Morris said Sullivan had a difficult time following the death of his father.