Oldham, UK — In an alarming episode of unprovoked violence captured on CCTV, a 37-year-old man was filmed savagely attacking another man in the early hours of a Monday morning in Oldham town center. The incident, which took place after both individuals had left a local nightclub, left the victim critically injured and sparked a police manhunt that lasted a week.
Sebastian Jones, also from Oldham, was eventually located and arrested in Bury, seven days after the attack which occurred on July 15, 2024. He was later charged and found guilty of Section 18 assault, receiving a seven-year prison sentence earlier this January.
The footage of the incident shows Jones viciously punching the 41-year-old victim, causing him to collapse to the ground. It is there that Jones continued the assault, hitting the defenseless man repeatedly. Alerted by onlookers, the police soon arrived at the scene to find the victim with severe head injuries.
Emergency responders provided immediate first aid before the victim could return home, though he later had to be hospitalized in a critical condition, highlighting the severity of his injuries.
Detective Superintendent Walker of the Greater Manchester Police denounced the nature of the attack, emphasizing the unwarranted brutality displayed by Jones. “This was a cowardly act of violence that resulted in substantial harm to the victim, leaving scars that extend beyond the physical,” Walker stated. He iterated the police’s commitment to combating such acts of violence and ensuring justice for the affected.
The investigation revealed that after the attack, Jones made a concerted effort to evade police capture. Officers conducted a search of his residence on Dickens Street in Moorside under a warrant, but Jones managed to avoid arrest until he was located in Bury.
In the course of the trial that followed his apprehension, Jones denied the allegations leveled against him. However, after a three-day legal proceeding at the Manchester Crown Court, the jury rendered a guilty verdict.
The sentencing marks a conclusion to an ordeal that has significantly impacted the victim and his family. The Greater Manchester Police have expressed their satisfaction with the court’s decision, hopeful that it serves as a deterrent to potential offenders. Meanwhile, the community is left to contend with the stark reality and consequences of such violent behavior in their midst.