Just one punch can kill. And a series of recent cases, heard in and around Greater Manchester, have shown the devastating impact of a single blow.
Promising lives cut short, families left bereft, and reputations left in tatters - all because of one moment of madness. These tragic cases occurred in different parts of the region - from busy inner city Manchester, to a quiet Cheshire village. But each had a impact that was truly devastating.
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Nojan Kafi
Kafi killed student doctor Emanuel Simon after punching him outside a shisha bar on the Curry Mile. After working a shift as a bouncer that night, Kafi had met up with friends at Dubai Cafe.
Mr Simon, 33, arrived at the bar later with friends after celebrating a wedding. Some of his group had been allowed in, but others were refused entry, and a fracas developed outside the bar.
Mr Simon, a medicine student originally from Eritrea, had his arms raised in a 'peaceful gesture' as Kafi emerged and pushed and tripped another man. Kafi, 36, then walked up to Mr Simon and punched him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground where he hit his head and fell unconscious.
The punch sparked a mass brawl in the street. Kafi rushed to his victim’s side and put him into the recovery position, but he never regained consciousness. He died two weeks later.
Kafi's barrister said the defendant would regret his actions for the rest of his life. He admitted manslaughter and was jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Jamie Kennedy
Robert Payne was killed in a one punch attack after a vodka and brandy fuelled row spilled out onto the street. Jamie Kennedy punched the 60-year-old he knew as 'Uncle Bob' after an argument at Mr Payne's home in Oldham.
Kennedy and his brother Christopher turned up at his house on the morning of October 15 last year. “It will appear that Mr Payne appeared happy to see the Kennedy brothers and appeared happy to start drinking with them before 7am," prosecutor Francis McEntee told Manchester Crown Court.
A woman also present claimed that the Kennedy brothers, Mr Payne and a neighbour drank a litre bottle of vodka and a litre bottle of brandy over the next couple of hours. Inside Mr Payne's house, Christopher Kennedy allegedly became aggressive and ‘pushed Mr Payne to the ground and sat on him’, before grabbing his neck and then leaving the house.
A row also ensued between Jamie Kennedy and Mr Payne and Kennedy was told to leave. As the dispute moved outside, Kennedy punched Mr Payne, who fell back and hit his head on the pavement. He died three days later.
Kennedy, 24, of Garden Terrace, Royton, admitted manslaughter and is due to be sentenced next month.
Robert Owen Greenhalgh
The 'heavyweight' blow landed by Robert Owen Greenhalgh caused 'immediate brain trauma' to Robert Smethurst even before he fell to the ground. Mr Smethurst had been enjoying a birthday night out with his cousin when he came into contact with cocaine addict bodybuilder Greenhalgh.
The pair were both in the Luxe Lounge nightclub in Bolton when Greenhalgh launched the fatal attack. Mr Smethurst, 36, had accidentally stood on Greenhalgh's foot earlier in the evening, but he had apologised and there appeared to be no further problems.
But in the early hours on September 2 last year, Greenhalgh suddenly punched Mr Smethurst and his cousin. His cousin was able to break his fall after being punched, but the heavy blow caused an immediate brain injury to Mr Smethurst.
He was declared dead about an hour later. Even Greenhalgh's friend said he was 'totally shocked' by what happened, as it was 'so out of the blue'. Greenhalgh puffed his chest out and shouted 'Who else wants some?"
Greenhalgh was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison after admitting manslaughter, with an extra three years and nine months on licence after he is released.
Creole McNamee
Abdi Omar Ali died days after a one punch attack in Longsight. Creole McNamee, 28, was caught on CCTV getting out of a car before landing the fatal blow to his head, which caused Mr Ali to fall backwards on to the pavement.
Police were called to Hathersage Road on May 3, 2020, by hospital staff reporting that a man had suffered serious injuries. Mr Ali died from his injuries on May 11.
McNamee, of Manor Road, Stretford, admitted manslaughter and was jailed for five years and four months. Paying tribute to Mr Ali, his family said: "Abdi was a beloved brother and son and this tragic loss will be forever felt by his family and friends.
"He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him and he lost his life under very tragic circumstances." DCI Liz Hopkinson, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "I hope this case serves as a reminder that one punch can kill and that Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate violence in our communities."
Samuel Thorpe
Businessman Adam Lovatt had been out celebrating his 45th birthday when he was killed with a single punch. Mr Lovatt was hit once to the face by 26-year-old Samuel Thorpe during the early hours in a Cheshire village.
After being hit, Mr Lovatt fell back and hit his head on the floor. He suffered two skull fractures and a bleed on the brain. Dad-of-two Mr Lovatt had been out with his wife at a pub in Audlem, Cheshire, and decided to stay out after his spouse went home.
At another pub, another man objected to Mr Lovatt being there and tried to assault him. He left shortly after, and Thorpe also left the boozer and confronted Mr Lovatt before punching him.
Thorpe was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for six years. Detective Inspector Adam Waller, of Cheshire Police, said: “Adam’s life was tragically cut short with just one punch. It’s a stark reminder to people that the decision to strike out at someone in anger could change lives instantly."
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