Nojan Kafi: bouncer jailed over one-punch killing of Manchester student doctor Emanuel Simon

Emanuel Simon, 33, died after being struck by bouncer Kafi outside a venue in the Curry Mile in Rusholme.
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A man who admitted killing a 'dearly loved' student doctor with a single punch in the Rusholme area of Manchester has been jailed for more than four years.

Nojan Kafi, 36, of no fixed address, was today sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to four years and six months, after previously pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter.

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The court heard Kafi admitted fatally inflicting a single punch on Emanuel Simon, a 33-year-old Eritrean man who had moved to Manchester to study to become a doctor.

The incident happened in Rusholme in the early hours of Sunday 26 January 2020.

Emmanuel Simon died after being punched Credit:family/ gmpEmmanuel Simon died after being punched Credit:family/ gmp
Emmanuel Simon died after being punched Credit:family/ gmp

How did it happen?

The court heard that earlier that night, Emanuel had been out at a wedding celebration before going to the Dubai Café on the Curry Mile - Wilmslow Road - with some friends.

At around 5am, a disturbance broke out inside the café which, the court heard, then spilled out onto Wilmslow Road - with Emanuel trying to be peacemaker.

Dubai Cafe in Rusholme Credit: Google mapsDubai Cafe in Rusholme Credit: Google maps
Dubai Cafe in Rusholme Credit: Google maps
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A bouncer at the café - later identified as Kafi - punched Emanuel once to the head, causing him to fall to the ground and immediately lose consciousness.

Emanuel died just over a fortnight later on Monday 10 February, and a murder inquiry was launched by detectives in GMP's Major Incident Team (MIT).

Police later issued CCTV footage from the night as they appealed for the public's help to identify the offender, and Kafi handed himself in at Central Park police station that same day where he was arrested and later charged with murder.

The court accepted Kafi's guilty plea for manslaughter on Friday 4 December 2020 and he was today ordered to serve four years and nine months in jail.

Nojan Kafi, 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square) to four years and six months in jail after previously pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter.Nojan Kafi, 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square) to four years and six months in jail after previously pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter.
Nojan Kafi, 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square) to four years and six months in jail after previously pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter.

What have police said about the case?

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Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, our Major Incident Team, said: “The death of Emanuel is a tragedy that his family and friends still have to bear on a daily basis two years on from that dreadful night, and our thoughts remain with them as this part of the investigation draws to a close.

“Emanuel had come to Manchester for a better life and to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor; all this was so cruelly taken away from him by a moment of sheer brutal recklessness by Nojan Kafi.

“Sadly, we see far too often the devastating impact of one punch, one moment of lethal violence that can have such tremendously damaging - and ultimately fatal - consequences and it is important for all concerned that today Kafi finally faces justice.

“We have been committed from day one in ensuring that Emanuel’s loved ones are provided with the answers they deserve and I would like to thank all those involved with this investigation, including members of the public, for their help to secure this outcome.”

Family tribute

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Paying tribute to Emanuel at time of his death in February 2020, his family said: “Emanuel came over to the UK in 2008 from Eritrea, east Africa. He had big dreams and aspirations to be a doctor and studied medicine at Manchester University.

“He worked hard while balancing both his job and his studies and after taking a gap year he had been accepted to join a university in Leeds to continue his studies in medicine.

“Known to his family and friends as Paulos, Emanuel was a gentle giant, easy going, quick to smile and loved life – he was dearly loved.

“Being one of nine siblings, Emanuel was from a large family and his loss will have a huge impact on every one of his friends and family.

“Emanuel was taken far too soon and in such tragic circumstances. He will be missed more than words can say.”

Two other men were previously convicted of violent disorder.

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