Thug told man ‘go to sleep, you c***' before stamping on him with fake leg – leaving victim needing round-the-clock care

The Sun

29-04-2025

A THUG told a man "go to sleep you c***" before he stamped on him with his fake leg and left the victim needing round-the-clock care.
Shannon Meaney called 57-year-old John Lowe over to him in a park in Salford before placing him in a headlock and shoving him to the ground.
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The 34-year-old then began violently kicking and stamping on the victim - using his prosthetic leg to inflict the blows.
At one point he asked a man with him to pass over a hammer before making the chilling remark.
John was later found dumped at the side of a path and struggling to breathe following the February 2023 attack.
A shocking photo shows the dad hooked up to tubes in his hospital bed after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
John now requires 24/7 support as a result of the savage assault and has been forced to move to a care home.
His daughter said: "He cannot talk, eat, sleep, get dressed without help, he has no chance of getting better or getting his memory back.
"My dad will never recover from his injuries and continue a normal life. He is just the shell of a man - he is like a stranger to me. His life was taken from him.'
Meaney was today jailed for life with a minimum of 13-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to assault.
Sentencing, Recorder of Manchester, Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: 'You have condemned Mr Lowe to a living death. His own daughter said he has zero quality of life.
"That is what you condemned him to - and for what reason?'
Manchester Crown Court was told former fitness instructor Meaney had been the victim of an assault in 2015 which saw him lose his leg following surgery.
He suffered with PTSD and had spiralled into drug addiction.
On Valentine's Day, 2023, he was sat in the park with an acquaintance when saw John.
He told the witness "I'm going to do him in" before launching into the savage attack.
The court heard Meaney believed John had given his dad some tablets, which had caused him to fall ill.
A "red mist" then descended as he began battering the victim in "revenge", it was said.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson from our Serious Crime Division said; 'Throughout this incident is a man and his loved ones who are having to come to terms with the consequences of this vicious attack which nearly cost John his life.
'Since we took on this case, we have faced challenges and setbacks but have remained resilient in securing the best possible outcome.
'We were determined to do everything possible to ensure Meaney has to face the consequences of his actions knowing the impact they have had on John's life.
"I would like to commend John's family for their bravery, and the support they have given the investigation, especially his daughter, who has made clear the severe challenges they are continuing to try to overcome.'
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