Man jailed for 16 years after pushing man down nightclub stairs

In the early hours of the morning on Saturday 8 June 2024, an altercation broke out at a night club on The Causeway in Altrincham between the victim’s friend and the offender’s friends. The victim’s friend subsequently left the club.

The victim, a 52-year-old man, and the offender, Niall Peak, had a brief conversation before the victim went to leave the club to join his friend outside.

CCTV captures Robert slowly leaving the premises as he had a surgical boot on his ankle and was using a crutch. The stairs were steep, and he could not hold onto the banister as it was on the same side as he was holding his crutch. As Robert began to descend the stairs, Peak appeared behind him and deliberately and forcefully pushed him down the stairs with both of his hands on Robert’s back.

Peak is captured on camera running down the stairs to where Robert had landed and then back up the stairs before continuing to socialise with his friends like nothing had happened. Peak left the club a few minutes later without seeking help for Robert or identifying himself to police.

An investigation was launched to identify the offender; Peak was arrested one day later and brought into custody for questioning. He answered no comment throughout his interview showing no remorse for leaving Robert with life-changing injuries. Robert suffered 15 cardiac arrests and has been left paralysed from the neck down. Robert has spent almost 9 months in hospital but it is hoped he will be discharged to go home soon. He will require 24/7 care for the rest of his life.

Peak was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, following a trial in December 2024. Earlier this week, on Tuesday 25 February 2025, Niall Peak (09/08/1991) of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square where he was jailed for 16 years.

The Officer in Charge of the case, Detective Constable Walsh from our Trafford district said: “Peak is a volatile individual, and for reasons only know to him, he decided to assault the victim that night and push him down the stairs. He has shown no remorse for his actions throughout this process, so we welcome this sentence today.

"His actions left Robert with catastrophic life-changing injuries and lifelong trauma, and I hope this sentence today will provide some small comfort and enable him to move on with his life knowing Peak is behind bars.”