The one punch killers who took a life with a single blow

Just one punch can kill. And a series of recent cases, heard in and around Greater Manchester, have shown the devastating impact of a single blow.

Promising lives cut short, families left bereft, and reputations left in tatters - all because of one moment of madness. These tragic cases occurred in different parts of the region - from busy inner city Manchester, to a quiet Cheshire village. But each had a impact that was truly devastating.

READ MORE: "He stole my baby's innocence": Girl 'robbed' of her childhood by paedophile who became 'obsessed' with her

Kafi killed student doctor Emanuel Simon after punching him outside a shisha bar on the Curry Mile. After working a shift as a bouncer that night, Kafi had met up with friends at Dubai Cafe.

Mr Simon, 33, arrived at the bar later with friends after celebrating a wedding. Some of his group had been allowed in, but others were refused entry, and a fracas developed outside the bar.

Mr Simon, a medicine student originally from Eritrea, had his arms raised in a 'peaceful gesture' as Kafi emerged and pushed and tripped another man. Kafi, 36, then walked up to Mr Simon and punched him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground where he hit his head and fell unconscious.

The punch sparked a mass brawl in the street. Kafi rushed to his victim’s side and put him into the recovery position, but he never regained consciousness. He died two weeks later.

Kafi's barrister said the defendant would regret his actions for the rest of his life. He admitted manslaughter and was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Robert Payne was killed in a one punch attack after a vodka and brandy fuelled row spilled out onto the street. Jamie Kennedy punched the 60-year-old he knew as 'Uncle Bob' after an