City centre attack left victim with horrific injuries after being glassed in Proud Mary fracas

A man who was glassed in a club and left with lacerations to his face said he "never thought one night could affect my life in such a dramatic way". He received staples and stitches to the injuries on his head, as well as sustaining a broken nose.

Lewis Parsons, 31, attacked Aarron Leyshon at Proud Mary in Cardiff city centre at around 11.30pm on September 29 last year. Footage of the assault was played to a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday which showed the defendant lashing out with the victim in a crowded bar.

Both men had been on nights out when they came up close to each other at the bar. They first made contact after Parsons shoulder barged Mr Leyshon, and responded by pushing the defendant back.

READ MORE: Abusive husband bugged office to spy on wife's therapist appointment

READ MORE: Police officer admits burglary and corruption offence

As a result of this, Parsons threw a number of blows at the victim's face, grabbed him by the throat and struck him with a glass in his right hand, which smashed on impact. The defendant continued to throw punches after the glass smashed, until he was dragged away by door staff. Mr Leyshon, who was bleeding heavily, received first aid from staff members.

Prosecutor Abigail Jackson said Mr Leyshon was taken to the University Hospital of Wales and was said to have had no recollection of the incident. He suffered two lacerations to the back of his head, both measuring 2cm, and a 2cm laceration to the bridge of his nose, which was broken. The injuries required staples and stitches

Parsons, of Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, was detained at the club and was arrested by police. He made a comment claiming he was acting in self-defence. He was taken to Cardiff Bay police station and gave a prepared statement in which he claimed Mr Leyshon had been "goading him". He said he had walked away but felt what he thought was a punch before turning round and punching the victim, claiming he had forgotten he was holding a glass in his hand.

The defendant later pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding. The court heard he had six previous convictions for offences such as robbery, possession of an offensive weapon, section 20 wounding. One of the offences involved Parsons being part of a group with weapons causing a laceration to the back of a man's head.

In a victim personal statement, Mr Leyshon said: "Since the incident I have been affected in more ways than one. Mentally, physically, emotionally and concerningly socially. I have no memory of the incident and flashbacks of people helping to prevent bleeding caused a great amount of upset which still persists.

"I am anxious and have panic attacks in public. There has been a knock on effect, not only on my day to day life but on raising my baby." The victim said he had to take time off work as a result of the assault and was unable to play rugby for a number of months as a result of his injuries. He added: "I never thought one night could affect my life in such a dramatic way... I don't know if I will ever be myself again."

Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Parsons to a total of three years and three months imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence.