PAUL HANDS, DARREN BARNFATHER, JOHN MCCARTHY AND DARREN BAGNALL BRUTAL ATTACK IN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE

In a disturbing incident that shocked the community of Ashton-under-Lyne, four men—Paul Hands, Darren Barnfather, John McCarthy, and Darren Bagnall—carried out a savage assault on a man and his dog. The attack unfolded on the quiet streets of Holebottom in Tameside during July 2016, leaving a trail of injuries and trauma that would resonate through the local area for years to come.

According to court reports, the incident was triggered when the victim used a wheelie bin outside an address where Paul Hands was residing to dispose of some bagged dog waste. This seemingly minor act ignited a violent response from the group. Hands, who was present at the scene, immediately erupted into a fit of rage, hurling verbal abuse and issuing threats towards the man. The situation escalated quickly, and the victim, feeling threatened, decided to walk away to avoid further conflict.

The following day, however, the same group of men spotted the victim while he was out walking his dog. This time, they were prepared for confrontation. Armed with a golf club, a pool cue, and electrical wire, the four men encircled him on a footpath, launching a brutal attack. Witnesses reported that John McCarthy was seen swinging a crossbreed dog around by her lead at shoulder height, while Darren Barnfather used a piece of wood to strike the animal across her back. The assault on the dog was particularly vicious and has left the animal with injuries that have not been publicly detailed.

The victim, who sustained severe injuries including a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain, and a fractured collarbone, managed to stagger home after the attack. He was found unconscious and was rushed to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to save his life. The dog, although injured, survived the ordeal, but the extent of her injuries remains undisclosed.

In the aftermath of the attack, the authorities swiftly apprehended the perpetrators. Court proceedings revealed the gravity of their crimes. Darren Barnfather, born around 1966 and residing at 7 Holebottom, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 8SJ, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for section 18 assaults. Paul Hands, born circa 1979 and living at number 3 Holebottom, who had a prior conviction for a vicious attack on a priest alongside his brother Andrew in 2008, received a 13-year sentence for a section 18 assault. John McCarthy, born approximately 1965 and from Holebottom, along with Darren Bagnall, born around 1966 of Hindley Close, were both sentenced to two and a half years for a section 20 assault.

The case drew significant media attention, highlighting the brutal nature of the attack and the need for justice. The community of Ashton-under-Lyne continues to grapple with the aftermath of this violent episode, which serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked aggression and the importance of swift legal action against such offenders.