Dad glassed in both eyes on night out ‘went instantly blind and may never see again’

A dad fears he will never be able to see his children again after he was glassed in both eyes while enjoying Boxing Day drinks with friends.

Matthew Syron was on a night out at Revolucion de Cuba in Leeds when he was attacked with a bottle.

Matthew, 32, has lived in Australia for the last 11 years but had returned to Leeds to spend time with his nephews for Christmas.

He underwent emergency surgery on both eyes, receiving 27 stitches in his right eye and 10 in his left, but his vision is yet to return more than a week later and he’s worried his sight has been permanently damaged.

Business owner Matthew, who is father to three-year-old Brixon and Meka-Rose, 1, fears he’ll never be able to see their faces again.

He said: ‘I was out in town with friends after a family party. My night was sort of coming to an end when I saw some old friends I used to play rugby with about ten years ago.

‘I went to the toilet then came back. I was stood at the bar with my brother and friends then all of a sudden [someone] slammed a glass in my face.

‘I was instantly blind. I thought when it happened “I’m never going to see my kids again”.

‘I can’t see out of both eyes. I can just see lights in my left eye and just black in my right.

‘They’re trying to save my eyes and there’s a possibility they can save them. The optical nerve on my brain isn’t damaged, which would mean I was permanently blind. That’s still intact in both eyes.

‘I wouldn’t wish this on anyone – it’s been the worst seven days of my life.

‘It’s scary – the world is a wicked place. This is just unbelievable.

‘This has ruined my life. There’s a chance I can never see my kids again, it makes me feel sick.

‘I think about what happened every hour of the day. All my family has been sat round this bed in tears.

‘Luckily I have youth on my side and hopefully I can recover quickly from this.

‘The only thing I care about is seeing my partner and kids again, I just want to give them a cuddle.’

West Yorkshire Police confirmed they are investigating a serious assault that occurred in the early hours of December 27.

The force said detectives are investigating the incident, which is believed to have occurred at around 12.30am, and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack and remains in custody.

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