Top News

A serial thug has admitted to being a one-punch killer, after his victim died following a savage attack seven years previously. Jordan Docherty, 30, attacked Simon Hackett, who was 35 at the time, in the early hours of September 20, 2015, and caused him to suffer serious head injuries and brain damage. The then 21-year-old was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution in March 2016, after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

At that time, Simon was still in hospital - half-a-year after the attack - and Judge Durham Hall QC told the sentencing hearing at Bradford Crown Court that he "may not survive". Tragically, the judge's warning came to pass in early 2022 when Simon, who required 24-hour care due to his extensive brain injuries, died in hospital. Docherty was charged with manslaughter last year as a result, and has now admitted his actions ultimately led to the death. Nicholas Johnson KC, defending Docherty, told the court that, based on the medical evidence, the defendant would be pleading guilty and asked for him to be rearraigned with the charge that on April 9, 2022, Docherty unlawfully killed Simon Hackett.

Docherty was charged with manslaughter last year as a result, and has now admitted his actions ultimately led to the death.

Nicholas Johnson KC, defending Docherty, told the court that, based on the medical evidence, the defendant would be pleading guilty and asked for him to be rearraigned with the charge that on April 9, 2022, Docherty unlawfully killed Simon Hackett.

The Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl said it is "a difficult sentencing exercise for historic reasons" but added: "Not least the earlier plea, but in the interim period another conviction for a single-punch which resulted in brain damage."

The court heard how serial thug Docherty was jailed again in May 2023, this time for three years, after leaving a man in a coma.

The victim, a man in his 30s, suffered similar injuries to those of Simon, six years earlier.

Simon, a scaffolder, had gone out for the evening with his workmate Anthony Roberts before they ended up at a private party at the Buttershaw Lane Working Men's Club in Bradford - on the notorious estate where gritty 80s film Rita, Sue and Bob Too was filmed.

At around midnight, an argument was said to have ensued outside the club between Simon and Docherty's young cousin.

Mr Roberts was said to have been worried about the atmosphere between Simon and Docherty, so left the club with his friend to calm the situation.

But a fuming Docherty escaped the restraints of another man and sprinted 60 metres up the street to launch his deadly blow.

Despite Mr Roberts trying to shield the victim, Docherty barged past him and punched Simon to the face, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the ground.

He was taken by ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary with "catastrophic" injuries, including a fracture from the back of his head to his jawbone.

Docherty was arrested later the same day, and told police he had only "sporadic" memories of the incident as he had been drinking, claiming he had punched Mr Hackett to "defend his own family."

After admitting his guilt at Leeds Crown Court on Friday Docherty was released on conditional bail until sentencing on March 16.

Judge Kearl said: "You have bail but this is no promise in terms of the sentence."

Docherty may never have faced true justice had this all happened prior to June 17, 1996 - a monumental day in legal history.

The Year and a Day rule stipulated that if victims of an assault lived for 366 days or more, their attackers could not stand trial for manslaughter or murder.

But after determined campaigning by Pat Gibson, the antiquated law was abolished in June 1996. The effort was sparked by the tragedy Pat suffered when her son, Michael Gibson, was assaulted in Darlington town centre in April 1992.

Michael, a quiet and shy individual, just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - approached by three youths as he and his younger brother were walking along High Row.

One of the youths, later identified as David Clark, attacked him and Michael hit the ground.

Michael, who was a month away from his 21st birthday and had plans to get engaged to his girlfriend, lay in a coma for 16 months - and more importantly in the eyes of the law at that time, beyond the 366 days threshold - before his death at the age of 22.

Clark could only be charged with grievous bodily harm and was jailed for two years.

He was free before Michael's life support system was shut down.