Francis Maughan, 29, was jailed for 15 months at Minshull Street Crown Court after launching a 'powerful, single punch' to a man's head outside Ko Ko Lounge in Heywood on July 6, 2024. The victim suffered a fractured cheek, broken nose, sunken eye, and temporary vision loss, requiring metal plates and screws to 'rebuild his face'. He said he is 'likely to be permanently disfigured' and 'living in fear'.
Attack and Escape
The victim's last memory before the attack was leaving the club, then being punched in the side of the head while being called a 'cheeky b*****d'. He was taken to hospital as police searched for the attacker. When officers arrived at the venue around 1:30 am, doorman Zhahed Mahmood, 42, told them he would look for the suspect. However, body cam footage captured him telling Maughan: 'Get off, get out.' Maughan swapped jackets with a friend and fled, evading capture until the next day.
Court Proceedings
Maughan pleaded guilty to wounding and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Mahmood admitted assisting an offender and received an 18-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity. Prosecutor Brian Berlyne stated the motive was unclear, as the men were not known to each other.
Victim Impact
In a statement, the victim said he suffered 'overwhelming fear' and has turned to alcohol while battling depression. 'I could not see for the first few months, I could not blink. I have very little memory of the incident, and I am living in fear,' he said.
Defence and Sentencing
Robert Smith, defending Maughan, said his client had been drinking and had a low risk of re-offending. Gwen Henshaw, for Mahmood, described his actions as 'a moment of madness', adding that he had 'thrown it all away'—a successful security career across Greater Manchester. Judge Mark Savill told Mahmood: 'You failed completely to honour the trust and responsibility placed in somebody in your position.'
