13.04.2026 10:30
Simon Hackett, who suffered severe brain damage from a single punch and lost his ability to speak and walk, passed away after years of fighting for his life, while the total short prison sentence given to the attacker was met with the family's reaction of "there is no justice."
Seven years ago, Simon Hackett's life was completely changed by a single punch, and his family reacted to the sentence given to the attacker. Hackett's sister stated that the prison sentence did not match the pain experienced, saying, "there is no justice."
LIFE CHANGED BY A SINGLE PUNCH
The incident occurred when Simon Hackett, returning from a party at a workers' club in September 2015, was punched by an unknown person. After the blow, Hackett fell to the ground, hitting his head hard on the floor. As a result of the punch delivered by the attacker Jordan Docherty, Hackett suffered severe head trauma and brain damage. Hackett was kept in a coma for days, and a part of his skull was surgically removed to reduce brain swelling.
HE COULD NO LONGER SPEAK OR WALK
At the time of the incident, Hackett was 35 years old, and after the attack, he could no longer speak or walk. The father of three, who spent the rest of his life in hospitals and care homes, saw his condition worsen over the years. In 2022, Hackett contracted bronchitis and pneumonia, and due to the deterioration of his health, he was placed in palliative care and passed away that same year.
CONTROVERSIAL SENTENCE FOR THE ATTACKER
The attacker, Jordan Docherty, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm in 2016 and was sentenced to four years in prison but only served 18 months. Following Hackett's death, Docherty was tried for murder and received an additional 15-month prison sentence.
FAMILY'S STRONG REACTION
Hackett's sister Alicia Manners stated that the sentence given was insufficient, saying, "This is not the equivalent of the pain Simon and our family have endured for seven years." Expressing that the family was devastated by the loss, Manners stated that justice had not been served. The incident once again highlighted how a single punch can irreversibly change a life.