Father-of-two, 32, fears he will never see his children again after Boxing Day bottle attack left him blind in both eyes
Published: 00:55, 3 January 2024 | Updated: 00:55, 3 January 2024
A father-of-two fears he will never see his children again after a vicious Boxing Day bottle attack left him blind in both eyes.
Matthew Syron had been enjoying drinks with friends Revolucion de Cuba[2] in Leeds, West Yorkshire, when the glass was smashed into his eyes.
The 32-year-old had been visiting his family back in the UK after moving to Sydney[3], Australia 11 years ago, when the attack occurred.
Following the brutal attack he underwent emergency surgery on both eyes but his vision has still not returned more than week on from the incident.
The businessman, who is father to three-year-old Brixon and one-year-old Meka Rose, worries he will never be able to see his children or partner’s face again due to the severity of his injuries.
Father-of-two Matthew Syron had been enjoying drinks with friends Revolucion de Cuba in Leeds, West Yorkshire, when the glass was smashed into his eyes.
Pictured: Mr Syron with his son Brixon shortly after he was born
Mr Syron underwent emergency surgery on both eyes but his vision has still not returned more than week on from the incident.
Pictured: Mr Syron in a medical chair after his surgery
Mr Syron pictured with his partner Keone Rawiri, 30, and their children Brixon, 3, and Meka-Rose, 1
Mr Syron 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’.’
Mr Syron was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary and underwent emergency surgery to help stop the bleeding, which included 27 stitches in his right eye and 10 stitches in his left.
Medics are desperately attempting to save Matthew’s vision but the father fears his sight may be gone for good.
He added: ‘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.
Mr Syron was rushed to Leeds infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery
Mr Syron fears he will never be able to see his partner Keone (right) or his children Brixon (left) and Meka-Rose (right)
‘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 Wednesday December 27th.
The force said detectives from Leeds District CID are investigating the incident, which is believed to have occurred at around 12.30am.
A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the matter and remains in custody.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact officers via 101 quoting crime reference 13230710625, or online.