Jail for man who left victim brain damaged - 18-11-2008

A man has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment after an assault outside a pub in Chadderton that has left a man brain damaged.

Francis Skachill, born 25/04/77, of Rigby Street, Higher Broughton, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and common assault at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He was sentenced on Friday 14 November 2008,

The common assault refers to an assault on a 29-year-old woman inside the pub prior to the incident outside.

Steven Hogg, aged 37, went to the Clayton Green Pub on Westhulme Way on the evening of Thursday 19 June 2008, with two other people.

After a short time they were joined by Skachill who ordered two bottles of wine, and who witnesses describe as 'loud' and 'trouble'. Three women also joined the group after that.

Skachill ordered more wine and was later seen pushing and shoving with another man in the group. The 29-year-old woman went to intervene but was pushed over by Skachill and slapped across the face.

Steven witnessed the assault and challenged Skachill's behaviour and the two began swearing at each other.

Skachill was now shouting, swearing and threatening people in his own group, in particular Steven.

The argument continued a short time later when Steven went outside at 12.20am on Friday 20 June 2008.

Skachill grabbed his arm and flipped Steven over him onto the floor.

Steven was standing with a woman at the time and she also fell, landing on top of him as his head hit the concrete floor with what witnesses describe as a sickening 'thud'.

Skachill ran away from the scene and was arrested at about 12.40am about a quarter of a mile away.

Steven was taken to hospital with head injuries and rushed straight into surgery. His condition deteriorated however and he had to undergo surgery on two further occasions that day.

He is currently in hospital in Glasgow and has lost his sight as well as suffered brain damage as a result of the assault.

Detective Sergeant Liz Hopkinson from Oldham CID said: "Although Skachill did not actually hit Steven, this was a horrific assault.

"He flipped him over his body causing him to hit the ground with such force that doctors did not think he would survive his injuries to begin with.

"Steven was due to get married in October but instead of planning for a wedding, his fiancée has been at his bedside hoping he will pull through.

"I hope seeing Skachill behind bars for what he did will give them some peace of mind, leaving them to concentrate on the victims recovery."

Steven's fiancée Alison Ringrose said: "My whole world fell apart that day. I was told that Steven was going to die and although he pulled through, something did die that day - mine and Steven's life.

"The simple things that I took for granted are no longer in my grasp. I'm now trying to plan my life around a disabled man, the outlook for Steven doesn't look good. It will be a struggle every day for Steven for the rest of his life.

"It's so sad to think that I should have been married on the 18th of October 2008. It was the saddest day of my life when it should have been the happiest."

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