April 19th 2024.
Shane Maloney and Dean Hughes were two men who crossed paths one fateful night in November 2019. Unfortunately, this encounter would lead to tragedy as Hughes, 47, hit Maloney, 28, over the head with a magnum-sized champagne bottle during an argument over a mobile phone. Maloney was left barely conscious and Hughes callously dumped him in an alleyway.
Maloney suffered severe brain injuries from the attack and was left unable to walk or speak. He had to be fed through a tube and sadly, he passed away 15 months later in March 2021. Hughes had initially pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and had been sentenced to eight years in prison in 2020. However, when Maloney died due to an infection caused by his injuries, the case was reopened and Hughes was charged with murder. Despite claiming he was acting in self-defense, Hughes was convicted by a jury after a trial and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 11 years and seven months, taking into account the time he had already served.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hughes and Maloney had never met before the night of the attack. They had been socializing together with their respective partners, drinking alcohol and taking drugs. However, a disagreement over a borrowed mobile phone led to a physical altercation between the two men. While Judge John Potter acknowledged that Maloney may have initially struck Hughes with a beer bottle and punched him, he deemed Hughes' response as disproportionate and unlawful. Hughes viciously attacked Maloney, kicking and punching him while he lay defenseless on the ground. The force of the blow was so severe that it shattered Maloney's skull and was compared to being hit by a moving car.
After the attack, Hughes callously dragged Maloney outside and left him in an alleyway. Maloney's girlfriend called the police and Hughes, showing no remorse, made derogatory comments about Maloney's height and declared that "payback's a bitch." During sentencing, Judge Potter noted that Hughes' attack was fueled by a desire for revenge and that he showed no regard for the consequences of his actions.
Detective Inspector Chris Preston from Greater Manchester Police expressed his sadness and condolences for Maloney's loved ones and stated that Hughes' actions were callous and showed no regard for human life. This tragic case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims and their families.
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