Father-of-two, 32, fears he will never see his children again after Boxing Day bottle attack left him blind in both eyes
A father-of-two fears he will never see his children again after a vicious bottle attack on Boxing Day left him blind in both eyes.
Matthew Syron was enjoying a drink with his friends Revolucion de Cuba in Leeds, West Yorkshire, when the glass was smashed into his eye.
The 32-year-old was visiting his family in Britain after moving to Sydney, Australia, 11 years ago when the attack happened.
Following the brutal attack, he underwent emergency surgery on both eyes, but his sight has still not returned more than a week after the incident.
The businessman, father of three-year-old Brixon and one-year-old Meka Rose, worries he will never be able to see the faces of his children or partner again due to the severity of his injuries.
Dad-of-two Matthew Syron was enjoying a drink with his friends Revolucion de Cuba in Leeds, West Yorkshire, when the glass was smashed into his eye. Pictured: Mr. Syron with his son Brixon, shortly after his birth
Mr Syron underwent emergency surgery on both eyes but his sight has still not returned more than a week after 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 in town with friends after a family party. My evening was more or less coming to an end when I saw some old friends who I played rugby with about ten years ago.
'I went to the toilet and then came back. Suddenly I was standing at the bar with my brother and friends [someone] smashed a glass in my face.
'I was instantly blind. When it happened, I thought, 'I'll never see my kids again.'”
Mr Syron was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary and underwent emergency surgery to help stop the bleeding, including 27 stitches in his right eye and 10 stitches in his left eye.
Medics desperately try to save Matthew's vision, but the father fears his eyesight may be gone forever.
He added: 'I can't see with both eyes. I only see lights in my left eye and only black in my right eye.
“They are trying to save my eyes and there is a possibility they can save them. The optic nerve in my brain was not 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 bad place. This is just incredible. This has ruined my life. There's a chance I'll never be able to see my kids again, it makes me sick.
'Every hour of the day I think about what happened. My entire family sat around this bed in tears. Fortunately, I have the youth on my side and hopefully I can recover from this quickly.
'The only thing I want to do is see my partner and children again, I just want to hug them.'
West Yorkshire Police have confirmed they are investigating a serious assault that took place in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27.
Police said detectives from Leeds District CID are investigating the incident, which is believed to have happened at around 12.30pm.
A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the case and remains in custody.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference 13230710625, or online.