Reveller punched on night out by drink and drug fuelled thug left without sense of taste or smell
Roman Floyd launched an unprovoked attack on Daniel O'Hare after the pair had been refused entry to a nightclub in Manchester city centre. Floyd was heard to ask 'whether he was dead or not' as Mr O'Hare lay motionless on Bridge Street, after hitting his head on the ground.
He suffered a traumatic brain injury and his 'entire life was put on hold', Manchester Crown Court heard. Floyd, now 21, avoided jail after a judge was told he is 'deeply remorseful'.
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Prosecuting, Nicola Carroll said that Mr O'Hare, then 22, went for a night out in Manchester city centre with a friend on March 25, 2023. Mr O'Hare's pal worked with Floyd, who was also out with a friend.
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The two groups got in touch with each other and decided to meet up. Floyd, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, described himself as being 'parcelled'.
They met up at the Box bar on Deansgate, before deciding to visit a nightclub on nearby Bridge Street. They queued up for a short while but were denied entry.
Floyd protested and told door staff, referencing Mr O'Hare: 'I'm not drunk, he's drunk.'
Mr O'Hare didn't appear to react, and they walked away from the venue. Within seconds, Floyd launched a 'completely unprovoked attack', punching Mr O'Hare twice to the head and causing him to fall and hit his head.
Mr O'Hare lay motionless on the ground and his friend 'initially thought he was dead'. Floyd was also heard to ask 'whether he was dead or not'.
When police arrived and arrested Floyd they found he was in possession of cocaine. Mr O'Hare was rushed to hospital and was found to have suffered a severe, traumatic brain injury.
He has since made an 'almost full recovery', the court was told, but has been left without any sense of taste or smell. He was unable to work for 11 months and couldn't drive for 14 months.
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'That is because of your actions that day, in deciding that you would physically assault him, that's down to you,' the judge, Recorder Fiona Clancy, told Floyd. 'His entire life was put on hold.'
Defending, Sarah Magill said that Floyd has since 'done some growing up' and has 'put things in place' to rehabilitate himself.
She argued he was a 'perfect contender' for a suspended prison sentence, despite the serious injury, given delays to the case, his remorse and lack of previous convictions.
Floyd, of Whitethorn Avenue, Burnage, pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Floyd was previously sentenced by magistrates to a conditional discharge after admitting being in possession of cocaine.
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