A murderer who boasted that he was “trained how to kill” has been jailed for life after killing his victim with a champagne bottle.

Dean Hughes, 47, attacked 31-year-old Shane Maloney, hitting him on the head with a large champagne bottle, after an argument on Wigan Road in Leigh in November 2019.

Now, nearly five years later, he has been unanimously convicted of murder by a jury at Manchester Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Chris Preston from Greater Manchester Police's Wigan district said; “This is a really sad and upsetting case that has had devastating consequences for those who knew and loved Shane.

“Hughes actions on that night have rightly been brought to justice and shows that his intentions on that night were cause to serious harm to Shane with no regard to those around him or what he did.”

The Bolton News: Shane Maloney eventually died because of his injuriesShane Maloney eventually died because of his injuries (Image: Shane Maloney)

Other friends had been present when Hughes, now of HMP Risley, attacked Mr Maloney on a Friday night on November 8, 2019.

In the immediate aftermath, police bodyworn footage caught Hughes saying  “I’m trained and I’m teached how to kill.”

The Bolton News: The bottle Hughes usedThe bottle Hughes used (Image: GMP)

Police and paramedics found Mr Maloney unconscious outside in the garden, having been dragged and left there by Hughes, who was arrested at the scene.

In May 2020 he pleaded guilty to that assault and was initially sentenced to eight years in prison, while Mr Maloney never fully recovered and died in March 2021.

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A police investigation found that the cause of death was directly linked the assault and Hughes was charged with murder, for which he has now been jailed.

DI Preston said: “Our investigation has always had the family of Shane at the heart of it and would like to pass on our condolences once again, as they sadly must come to terms with losing Shane in such distressing circumstances over a prolonged period of time, always hoping, praying and giving him the best quality of life, he could have despite the injuries he sustained at the time.”

“As a force we remain committed on investigating and solving crime around serious assaults and despite the tragic story around this, hopefully sends a stark reminder to everyone that your actions can have far reaching consequences.”

Hughes was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.