Stephen Topping

Thomas Heffron, an aspiring boxer, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm after striking a 17-year-old girl in Royton, near Oldham, when he attempted to punch her male companion during an unprovoked confrontation in October 2024. The girl suffered multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds and facial injuries, and continues to experience cognitive problems, migraines, exhaustion and sleep difficulties. Heffron was identified partly through public information and messages recovered from his phone, and was sentenced to nine months in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court. Detective Constable Kirstie Masterton praised the victim’s bravery and said the case demonstrated enforcement efforts to protect women and girls in Greater Manchester.