Bouncer who killed 'dearly loved' student doctor with single punch in Curry Mile attack is jailed

A doorman who killed a “dearly loved” student doctor with a single punch as he acted as a peacemaker was today jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Nojan Kafi, 36, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, for killing Emmanuel Simon in Rusholme in January 2020. The court heard that Kafi, who had no previous convictions, was off-duty at the Dubai Cafe on Wilmslow Road in the early hours of Sunday, January 26, when 33-year-old student doctor Emmanuel, originally from Eritrea in Africa, visited the establishment with friends after celebrating a wedding.

Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, told the hearing a disturbance broke out at around 5am, after some of the group had been allowed in whilst others had been refused entry, with the group heading back out onto the street. Emmanuel had his arms raised in a “peaceful gesture” when Kafi pushed and tripped another man before walking up and punched the student doctor in the jaw - knocking him to the ground where he hit his head and fell unconscious.

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The punch sparked a mass brawl in the street, with Kafi quickly rushing to his victim’s side and putting him into the recovery position. Emmanuel was taken to hospital where he unfortunately never regained consciousness, and died on February 10, two weeks after the attack, from the injuries to his brain.

Mr Cadwallader read a statement from Emmanuel’s brother to the court. He said: “It has been a trying year for the family because of the actions perpetrated by Kafi. [Emmanuel's brother] made remarks about the generosity of Emmanuel coming to this country, studying to join the NHS, something he won’t be able to do now, and the pain and