A JURY has been told how a man who "pole-axed" a 25-year-old amateur sportsman with a single punch warned a friend: "Keep him away from me or I'll kill him."

Neil Anthony Morton, 27, denies inflicting unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm on 25-year-old Mark Hall in Clitheroe, on Friday, June 26, 1998.

Jason Dewhurst told Preston Crown Court the defendant made the threat as he left the Keystreet pub after an incident between Morton, Mr Hall and his girlfriend Angelina Metcalf.

Moments later Morton knocked Mr Hall unconscious. Mr Hall had to undergo brain surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital. He returned home to Main Street, Downham, on September 2 but died five days later following an epileptic fit.

The jury has been told the death was looked at very carefully and no link had been established with the actions of the defendant on June 26.

Mr Dewhurst told the court about two earlier incidents between the defendant and Mr Hall. He said there had been a row in a pizza parlour in Moor Lane, Clitheroe, some weeks before June 26 when he feared there would be a fight.

Mr Dewhurst, who lives in the town, said he and Mr Hall had been out together on June 26.

They were in the Keystreet pub in Lowergate with Mr Hall and Miss Metcalf when Morton came in. Mr Dewhurst told the court: "Neil stood right next to us. I thought he was there to wind Mark up because he was staring and gesturing at him. "Mark just wanted to go. He didn't want any trouble." Mr Hall and Miss Metcalf left while Mr Dewhurst restrained Morton.

Mr Dewhurst went on: "He was shouting and screaming and he was very tense. As far as I knew, Mark had gone home so I let Neil go. Before he left he said: "Keep him away from me or I'll kill him."

John Woodward, defending, said Mr Dewhurst was lying because he was affected by the death of his friend.

Morton, of Broadhead Avenue, Edgworth, claimed he acted in self defence and Mr Hall was aggressive.

But David Cottam, a military policeman who had been with Morton that night, said Mr Hall showed no signs of aggression and there was no reason for the punch.

He said: "Mark Hall was just trying to get between Neil and Angelina to stop anything else happening."

(Proceeding)

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