'He punched me first'

COURT HEARS WHAT MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER TOLD POLICE OFFICER

- THOMAS GEORGE

 

A MAN accused of murder told his alleged victim ‘payback’s a bitch’ after attacking him with a bottle during an argument, a jury was told.

Shane Maloney died nearly 16 months after he was left with a ‘severe brain injury’ following the alleged assault at a house in Wigan Road, Leigh.

Dean Hughes, 46, has gone on trial at Manchester Crown Court accused of murder. Mr Hughes, of no fixed address, denies the charge.

On the first day of the murder trial, prosecutor Michael Brady KC told the court that paramedics and police had been called to the house on the evening of November 8, 2019.

They found Mr Maloney lying in a ginnel at the back of the property, he added. Jurors heard that the 26-year-old was unconscious, covered in blood and had a large cut to his head. Mr Hughes was also present at the address along with his girlfriend and Mr Maloney’s girlfriend, Mr Brady told the court.

Police who attended noticed that Mr Hughes was ‘unsteady on his feet’ and appeared be under the influence of drink or drugs, jurors heard.