Victim suffered eye injury after chair row in Leeds city centre bar

Richard Robinson, 31, was given a 12-month sentence over the incident in North Bar, on New Briggate, on May 7 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Robinson was in the bar with his partner when the victim took away a vacant chair from their table.

Caroline Abraham, prosecuting, said Robinson’s partner took exception to it and accused the man of being disrespectful.

Bar staff intervened to calm the situation but Robinson attacked the victim as he got up to leave.

Miss Abraham said Robinson punched the man three or four times during the attack, which was caught on CCTV.

Robinson was ejected from the bar but made attempts to get back in, claiming he was going to kill the victim.

The victim went to hospital days after the attack and a scan revealed he had a fracture to his eye socket.

He had to have an operation to have a metal plate fitted to his face.

The court heard Robinson, of Toll Hill Court, Castleford, was the subject of a suspended sentence for a similar offence of violence at the time of the incident.

Robinson pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and breach of a suspended sentence order.

Michael Jowett, mitigating, said Robinson was a civil engineer who worked hard to support his family.

Mr Jowett urged judge James Spencer, QC, to consider imposing a suspended prison sentence.

The barrister added: “It is clear that he should have thought about his family before he committed this appalling offence.”

Judge Spencer said: “It may have been that you did not start the fight, but you have accept responsibility for the violence.

“You have got to learn that the answer is not in your fists.”