Man sentenced to life imprisonment after killing victim with champagne bottle

Dean Hughes (06/06/1977) of His Majesty’s Prison has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 16 years to serve after being convicted of murder following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

This is after a jury unanimously found him guilty last week following the sad passing of Shane Maloney.

Shane Maloney

The 31-year-old was the victim of an attack following an argument and a scuffle, where other friends were present, when a large Magnum-sized champagne bottle was used to inflict what is now been determined to be the fatal blow to the head, along with other blows across the body on Wigan Road in Leigh back on a Friday night in November 2019.

Hughes in the immediate aftermath was recorded on police body worn video saying; “don’t underestimate a short a***” and “I’m trained and I’m teached how to kill” along with “payback’s a b****” under the influence of drink and drugs.

When officers arrived, along with other first-aid responders, Shane was found unconscious outside in the garden after being dragged and left there by Hughes and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

As a result, in May 2020 he pleaded guilty to that assault and was initially sentenced to eight years in prison. Tragically, Shane never fully recovered from his injuries and had a severe brain injury which prevented independent living.

In March 2021, a year on from the conviction, he sadly passed away. A detailed examination uncovered shortly after that the cause of death was directly linked to that of the assault, meaning additional charges were later brought for the more serious offence of murder.

Dean Hughes and the champagne bottle used

Detective Inspector Chris Preston from GMP’s Wigan district said; “This is a really sad and upsetting case that has had devastating consequences for those who knew and loved Shane.

“Hughes actions on that night have rightly been brought to justice and shows that his intentions on that night were cause to serious harm to Shane with no regard to those around him or what he did.

“Our investigation has always had the family of Shane at the heart of it and would like to pass on our condolences once again, as they sadly must come to terms with losing Shane in such distressing circumstances over a prolonged period of time, always hoping, praying and giving him the best quality of life, he could have despite the injuries he sustained at the time.

“As a force we remain committed on investigating and solving crime around serious assaults and despite the tragic story around this, hopefully sends a stark reminder to everyone that your actions can have far reaching consequences.”