Thug slammed pint glass into the face of patron of East Leeds pub after banter turned sour
Judge described it as a “savage attack”
A pub drinker was left covered in his own blood after a thug smashed a pint glass into his face without warning, a court heard.
The victim needed 12 stitches in his lip and left with damaged teeth following the senseless pub attack by Joshua Lee.
Admitting GBH without intent, he avoided immediate custody at Leeds Crown Court this week after it was heard his severe mental health problems, triggered by alcohol and drugs, that left him requiring hospital treatment.
Prosecutor Victoria Barker said the victim and his friends had been drinking in the New Travellers Rest in Cross Gates on the evening February 24, 2024.
Lee entered the pub a short time later with his pals.
Although not known to each other, the two groups began talking and the victim was put in a headlock and his trousers pulled down as they joked with each other.
Ms Barker said he took it in “good spirits” but it quickly turned sour. The victim was asked to leave by the pub landlady.
He finished off his drink and was heading for the exit when Lee approached him.
The victim tried to defuse any lingering hostility, telling Lee he had no problem with him.
Without provocation, 32-year-old Lee then thrust his pint glass into the man’s face, soaking him in his drink and slashing his lip as the glass shattered.
Staggering out of the pub, the victim went to the nearby Mecca Bingo where he was given towels to clean up his blood.
Having been taken to hospital, he contacted the police and gave a description of Lee.
The landlady of the pub has also called the police.
Lee was arrested the next day but refused to answer police questions.
In a victim impact statement the man said he had been left scarred and unable to afford dental work to correct his teeth.
Lee, of Ironwood View, Seacroft, has 18 previous convictions for 25 offences, including a conviction for ABH in 2013 for which he was jailed for three months.
He was initially charged with the more serious Section 18 GBH with intent, which he denied. He offered a guilty plea to Section 20 but this was rejected by the Crown and a trial was sought.
However, after reconsideration, the Crown U-turned and accepted the offer.
Mitigating, Craig Sutcliffe said Lee “might have been in the early stages of a psychotic illness” at the time of the glass attack.
He was eventually taken in to hospital in June this year to be treated for psychosis, although it was accepted it was exacerbated by his use of alcohol and cocaine.
The judge, Recorder Simon Jackson KC described it as a “savage” attack but acknowledged Lee’s problems and his remorse.
He handed him a 20-month sentence, suspended for 24 months.
He ordered he undertake an alcohol-treatment requirement, be put on a six-month GPS monitoring tracker and complete a probation requirement.
Lee was also given a five-year restraining order to keep him away from the victim, with Recorder Jackson warning him to “take the opportunity”.
However, Lee did request to be given the chance to write to the victim to apologise.