Soldier scarred for life in nightclub attack

Joshua Spry, 24, was jailed for 19 months after a court heard victim James Parrish suffered horrific head injuries during the incident at Batley Frontier.

Leeds Crown Court heard he lashed out after seeing Mr Parrish talking to Spry’s ex-grirlfriend on the dance floor at the club on August 29 last year.

Spry walked up to Mr Parrish and punched him to the back of the head.

Mr Parrish turned around and Spry struck him in the face, knocking him to the floor.

The victim had to be taken by ambulance to Pinderfields Hospital after suffering fractures to his nose and cheekbone.

Stephanie Hancock, prosecuting, said Mr Parrish has been left with a permanent facial deformity.

The court heard Mr Parrish was approaching the end of a six-year career in the army at the time of the the attack but he was unable to enjoy the last few months with his fellow soliders as a result of the injuries.

Spry was subject to a community orders at the time of the incident for domestic attacks on a former partner.

The court heard Spry had attacked the woman on two occasions during Christmas 2014 while she was seven months pregnant.

On both occasions he had threaten to kick the unborn baby out of the victim.

Spry, of Bond Street, Birstall, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and breach of a community order.

Felicity Hemlin, mitigating, said: “He fully accepts his actions were over the top and outrageous.”

She added that he carried out the attack out of jealousy.