Leeds dog chain punch attacker broke man’s jaw

Leeds Crown Court heard the single punch by 21-year-old Kyle Hancock left attack victim Caleb Howard, of Briarsdale Garth, Gipton, with serious facial injuries.

Mr Howard suffered a broken jaw, fractured eye socket and cheekbone and had to undergo surgery to have metal plates inserted in his face.

The court was told Hancock, of Appleton Square, Burmantofts, had been walking his dog when he attacked Mr Howard on the doorstep of his home at around 7pm on September 13 last year.

Prosecutor, Bashir Ahmed said Hancock returned to Mr Howard’s home two weeks after the attack and sad to him ‘I know I shouldn’t have done what I did. Hit me back if it makes you feel better.’

Mr Ahmed said Hancock tried to escape custody while appearing at Leeds Magistrates’ Court for an unrelated matter on December 5 last year.

He stood on a chair in the dock of court three and tried to climb over the glass screen, but was dragged by by a security guard.

Hancock has a string of previous convictions for offences including aggravated vehicle taking, burglary, assaulting a police officer, battery and handling stolen goods.

Mitigating, Ian Cook said Hancock was suffering from mental health problems at the time of the attack on Mr Howard.

He said Hancock didn’t realise he had the dog chain wrapped around his hand when he hit Mr Howard.

Mr Cook added: “What is clear is that this defendant was remorseful for his actions and did try to apologise to the complainant. “

Hancock admitted causing Mr Howard grievous bodily harm and trying to escape from custody.

Jailing him for 16 months, Recorder Kate Tulk told him: “That single punch caused severe injury to Mr Howard. You had a metal dog chain wrapped around your hand.”