Crack-fuelled 5ft 4ins thug guilty of champagne murder

A DRUG-FUELLED thug left a man unable to speak and having to be fed through a tube after a brutal attack which ultimately killed him.

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

Shane Maloney, 26, died nearly 16 months after being hit over the head with a champagne bottle by Dean Hughes, who was under the influence of alcohol, crack cocaine, prescription methadone and diazepam.

"Never underestimate a short-a***, Hughes told Mr Maloney, as he lay unconscious in the aftermath of the attack. "Payback's a bitch," he added.

The pair were at a house in Leigh and had become involved in an argument over a mobile phone, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Hughes, 46, previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm in relation to the attack and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

But following Mr Maloney's death, Hughes was hauled before the court again and accused of murder. He was found guilty after a trial and will be sentenced next week.

Mr Maloney suffered a 'severe brain injury which left him with 'severe cognitive and physical neurological impairments. He had no speech, 'a lack of understanding of verbal language' and had to be fed through a tube, jurors heard. He never recovered and was placed in a rehabilitation unit where he was dependent on others for his care, prosecutor Michael Brady KC said.