Dog walker assaults man with lead throughout row, breaking his eye socket

Deacon James wrapped the canine leash round his hand earlier than hanging out on the sufferer throughout a dispute on Whingate Green in Armley.

Leeds Crown Court heard that the sufferer had heard a commotion outdoors his home on April 29 final yr, and noticed out of the window that certainly one of his elderly neighbours was arguing with James.

The sufferer and two different residents got here out because of the shouting. James, 28, then wrapped the canine lead round his hand and got here in the direction of the person and punched him to the face earlier than walking away.

The man needed to be taken to hospital the place it was discovered he had a damaged cheek bone and two additional fractures to his eye socket. He needed to have three tooth eliminated throughout surgical procedure to insert plates into his face, and lived on a smooth eating regimen for six weeks.

James, of Nunnington View, Armley, was recognized and tracked down by police. He was arrested the day after the attack.

He later informed police that the elderly man was “getting in his face” about his canine, and had tried to seize James “by the throat”. He then mentioned the punch sufferer got here out and “got involved with attitude”.

CCTV caught the incident which was performed to Judge Kate Rayfield, who accepted there had been a level of provocation.

He was initially charged with Section 18 GBH with intent, which he denied. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of Section 20 GBH without intent, which was accepted by the Crown.

He has previous convictions for battery and for drug dealing, the court heard.

Mitigating, Harry Crowson said: “It’s not entirely clear why this elderly gentleman got involved it became a far more excessive interaction than there needed to be.”

No further mitigation was offered after Judge Rayfield said she would not send James into custody.

She gave him 12 months’ jail, suspended for 18 months, with 30 rehabilitation days. She informed him: “You can’t take a lead and swing it at someone and not expect to do something pretty serious.

“You have fractured this man’s cheek bone and eye socket in places. As far as I can see this trouble came to your door. It’s for that reason I will suspend the sentence in this case.”