Thug jailed for role in brutal Leeds city-centre brawl that left student in a coma and needing brain surgery
Young man was part of group attack in city centre that came close to tragedy.
A student was left in a coma and needing months of hospital treatment following a brutal city-centre assault.
Samuel Cartwright was one of two men who squared up to the victim and his pal near to the Corn Exchange before launching into an attack.
Although he did not deliver the blows that left the man’s life hanging by a thread, he admitted his part by pleading guilty to a charge of affray, assault and ABH.
The 24-year-old was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this week.
Prosecutor Gabriel Coates said the victims had been on a night out on September 19 last year, and had been walking along the street near to the Corn Exchange between 11pm and midnight.
Passing the Munch Box takeaway on Crown Street, it was thought that one of them made a comment about a woman sat in a car parked outside.
A male got out of the car, while Cartwright came out of the shop.
The students walked away but Cartwright and the second man pursued them and the altercation broke out.
Cartwright was seen to punch the victim’s friend to the throat then wrestle with him on the ground.
Meanwhile, the second male knocked the victim unconscious with punches.
They then got into a Vauxhall Astra before driving off.
Cartwright was arrested a week later and he asked police: “Is he okay?”
However, he then refused to answer questions during his police interview.
The victim attacked by the second man had been rushed to Leeds General Infirmary.
He was found to have a fracture to the back of his skull, suffered a blood clot to the brain and bleeding to the brain. He suffered a 20-minute seizure and a breathing tube was required.
The student then underwent emergency surgery to remove a large section of his skull because of the swelling to his brain, and he also suffered a stroke.
He was left in a coma for around a week, and in hospital for three months.
He is due to have surgery to fit a metal plate to his skull, but continues to suffer ongoing vision problems and dexterity issues, leaving him unable to play musical instruments.
Cartwright, of Courtenays, Seacroft, has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, Philip Mahoney pointed out that the serious injuries suffered by the student were not caused by his client.
He said he had led an “exemplary” life to that point and that it was “exceptionally out of character”.
Mr Mahoney added: “He is filled with horror and remorse.”
Judge Alex Menary told Cartwright that his response was “totally disproportionate” and added: “It was late-night drunken street violence - the courts are grimly familiar with offences like this.
“You became involved when you could have walked away. It’s an absolute tragedy all round.”
He jailed Cartwright for 20 months.
Another man is due to stand trial at a later date.