The attack occurred shortly after midnight on September 19, 2015, outside the Buttershaw Lane Working Men's Club following a party. Jordan Docherty escaped the restraints of another man and sprinted 60 metres up the street to launch the punch. Despite a friend trying to shield Simon Hackett, Jordan Docherty barged past him and punched Hackett in the face with his right fist, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. The single blow caused catastrophic brain injuries to Simon Hackett, leaving him unable to stand, walk, or care for himself. Jordan Docherty was aged 20 at the time of the 2015 attack. Jordan Docherty admitted being 'seven out of 10 on the scale of intoxication' when he punched Simon Hackett.
Jordan Docherty had previously spent 45 months in a young offender institution after admitting causing grievous bodily harm in the 2015 attack. After being released, Jordan Docherty punched another man, leaving him in a coma with life-changing injuries.
This was a single blow, albeit delivered with force. At the time you were aged 20. You were not fully mature. Indeed, you were immature. I take into account the sentence already passed upon you.
At Leeds Crown Court, Judge Guy Kearl KC noted that Jordan Docherty admitted being 'seven out of 10 on the scale of intoxication' when he punched Hackett. The judge described the blow as 'a single blow, albeit delivered with force,' and acknowledged Jordan Docherty was aged 20 at the time and 'not fully mature. Indeed, you were immature.' He also took into account the sentence already passed upon Jordan Docherty. Judge Kearl emphasized the impact on Hackett's family, stating that no sentence he could pass would be sufficient to compensate them for their loss, not just from the death of Simon Hackett, but from the seven years of watching his decline between the date when Jordan Docherty punched him and the date when he died, and that their lives have been devastated and will never be the same again.
The case leaves several unanswered questions, including what specific complications led to Simon Hackett's death in 2022 and what the nature of the issues was that arose between Jordan Docherty's cousin and Hackett at the party. It is also unclear whether there are any ongoing legal proceedings or appeals related to this case.
No sentence that I can pass would be sufficient to compensate them for their loss. Not just from the death of Simon Hackett, but from the seven years of watching his decline between the date when you punched him and the date when he died. Their lives have been devastated and will never be the same again.
Do you want some too?