Family of man, who died after one punch assault, speak out about devastation
Danny Maguire suffered a serious injury after an attack in Grantham and died a week later in hospital
Last updated 4th Jun 2021
The family of a man, who died after a one punch assault in Grantham, are speaking out about the devastating affect it's had on their lives.
Danny Maguire suffered a serious head injury following a one punch assault at a pub in Grantham last year.
He was rushed to hospital but died a week later after his life support machine was switched off.
Melanie Spate says losing her brother broke the family.
“My family and I spent every day at the hospital with him hoping and praying he would survive.
“Our parents could not cope with being there whilst his machines, that were keeping him alive, were turned off.
“I sat and held my brother’s hand while his life support was turned off and he took his last breaths.
"I do not wish that on anyone."
"My husband came with me and witnessed me walk out the room and collapse on the floor whilst screaming like an animal in pain.
“My brother has a nine-year-old son who now has to live his life without his Daddy.
"I have a six-year-old son who absolutely adored his Uncle and struggled to comprehend why he could no longer see him.
"I have laid in bed at night with my son while he has been sobbing asking if his Uncle can come back from heaven.
"He is scared that his Mummy or Daddy might die and leave him."
“My parents are broken. They cannot bear to talk about anything that has happened.
"My Mum is heartbroken. I witness her on a regular basis falling apart because she has lost her boy.
"I genuinely do not know how my family, or I will ever be the same again. I have experienced loss in my life, but nothing prepares you for losing a love one in this way.
"A senseless act that has left a young boy without his Daddy and for what?
"I urge people to think about how their actions can change people’s lives in seconds."
29-year-old Luke Templeman, of Launder Terrace in Grantham, was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail after admitting to manslaughter.
We can reveal there have been 2 other serious one punch assaults in the county over the last year or so.
Gediminas Vaitkus died after a one punch assault in Red Lion Street in Boston.
19-year-old Hikmet Maez, of Spilsby Road, Boston, pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Another one punch assault victim, Mark Hatcher, was rushed to hospital following an assault in the street near the Black Bull in Donington. He was left with brain damage.
47-year-old Paul Hayes, of Donington, was jailed for three years.
Lincolnshire Police has now launched a campaign to raise awareness of the crime.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Myszczyszyn, of East Midlands Special Operations Unit, says the ‘One Punch Can Kill’ campaign reminds people that in a split second a person can become a killer or be killed.
“What can start out as a fun night drinking with friends can easily turn into a nightmare.
"Just one punch can ruin the lives of both the victim and the person who throws the punch.
“One action can mean the difference between your family visiting you in prison or coming to say their final goodbyes to you in the intensive care unit.
"If you face confrontation whilst out, please remember the sensible thing is to turn around and walk away.”
The force is now working with registered charity OnePunchUK to raise awareness of the devastation that a one punch assault can have on the victim and their families.
OnePunchUK was founded by Maxine Thompson-Curl whose son Kristian was tragically killed following a one punch attack while on a night in Consett, County Durham.
She says awareness campaigns are important in getting the message out.
“We spend all year trying to make people aware of how important it is not to use our hands as weapons and to stop, think and walk away.
“One punch assaults can and do cause devastation to victims, their families, friends, and also to the person who throws the punch.
"It is life changing in a very negative way."
“This devastation can be prevented by trying to be in control of your emotions, especially whilst under the influence of alcohol.
"Please be responsible for your actions at all times.
“Let’s stop this needless devastation.
"Stop think and walk away.”