Blackburn man jailed for one punch manslaughter

A 32-year-old man has been jailed today for five years and four months at Preston Crown Court, after punching a stranger in the street in October 2021.

Shortly before 2.20pm on 19 October 2021, Michael Hannon walked past James O’Hara on Gisburn Road, Barrowford, when words were exchanged between the two men.

Just 25 seconds later Hannan punched James O’Hara once to the face, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head on the pavement, before running away.

Passers-by came to James’ aide and found him with facial injuries, he was confused and disorientated. He was taken to Burney General Hospital.

Within two hours of the assault, Hannan was pictured flexing his muscles and he sent messages via social media about ‘wiping out some guy’.

Meanwhile James shared images of his injuries with his friends and told them how he sustained them. Over the following days he attended the Royal Blackburn Hospital for follow up appointments. No-one heard from him after 26 October.

A concern for welfare call was made to the police on 29 October. When officers attended, they found James deceased at his home.

Following a Post-Mortem, it was ascertained the cause of his death was acute bacterial meningitis which he had developed as a direct consequence of the facial and nasal injuries he received when he was punched by Hannan.

Michael Hannan pleaded guilty on the first day of trial to manslaughter.

Katie Lord, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “Michael Hannan carried out an attack on a stranger in the street.

“Within 25 seconds of this chance encounter, he had punched James O’Hara to the floor. He then flexing his muscles, took selfies and bragged on social media about the reckless actions which ultimately resulted in James losing his life just 10 days later.

“This case is serves as yet another reminder that one punch is enough to take someone’s life. The CPS is committed to securing justice for those who partake in such needless violence.”