Thug who 'revelled in violence' killed family man with one punch then sent sick texts bragging about breaking bones
27.04.2023 - 19:55
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A thug who 'revelled in violence' killed a 'funny and kind' family man with one punch - then sent sick texts bragging about the attack. Michael Hannan, 32, felled James O'Hara in the street before running away laughing, LancsLive reports.
In the hours that followed he then posed for photos in a boxing stance and sent text messages gloating about breaking his victim's bones. Mr O'Hara died eight days later after contracting acute bacterial meningitis from a fracture to his skull.
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Hannan, of Tynewald Road, Blackburn, has today (April 27) been jailed for five years and four months after pleading guilty to manslaughter at Preston Crown Court. Francis McEntee, prosecuting, described how on October 19, Mr O'Hara - a slightly built man - was walking home from a charity shop with a newly purchased vinyl record.
Hannan and his friend Michael Shackleton were walking in the opposite direction along Gisburn Road, Barrowford, after drinking in a nearby pub. As the three men passed each other there was a confrontation in which Mr O'Hara asked Mr Shackleton what he was growling at, and squared up to him.
Hannan punched Mr O'Hara, 45, in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. As Mr O'Hara lay unconscious on the pavement, Hannan and Mr Shackleton ran away laughing.
Members of the public rushed to Mr O'Hara's aid and he was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured eye socket and cheekbone. A CT scan later revealed he also had a fracture to his temple extending to the base of his skull.
He returned to hospital on several occasions and documented his injuries in text messages to friends. On October 26, Mr O'Hara sent a final text message, however two