A MURDER victim was repeatedly kicked and his head was jumped on in a two-minute attack, a court heard.

John Crabtree, 40, died from a head injury, the day after it is claimed he was subjected to violence by Matthew McKay on a canal towpath, near the Moorings pub, Bolton Road, Blackburn.

As a murder trial began today at Preston Crown Court, the jury was told Mr Crabtree had been attacked by a different man the night before.

On that occasion, Mr Crabtree refused offers of help and the police went on to take him back to his address in Blackburn.

But the prosecution say it was the alleged attack by McKay which caused Mr Crabtree’s death.

McKay, 20, of Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn, denies a charge of murder.

At the time of the incident in September, McKay had been temporarily staying at the Nightsafe hostel, Blackburn.

Both he and Mr Crabtree were described by the prosecution as having been ‘heavy and persistent drinkers’.

Louise Blackwell QC, prosecuting, said that on September 11 another man – not the defendant – had hit Mr Crabtree three times after coming across him by chance in the canal towpath area.

McKay is alleged to have commented, following the September 11 incident, that he wished he had had the opportunity to assault the man.

The following day, a couple were walking on the towpath at around 8.15pm.

They saw someone the prosecution say was McKay kicking ‘something on the ground’.

Miss Blackwell said: “The kicks were heavy, long drawn back and thrown through kicks, being meted out at about one per second.

“The assault took place over about a two-minute period.

“Another man was present, but there was no suggestion he had anything to do with it, but neither did he try to stop the defendant.

“He then jumped up and down on top of John Crabtree, using full force.”

“A 17-year-old girl also present was screaming and telling him to stop.

"It seemed the more she did, the more that spurred Mr McKay on.”

Afterwards, the defendant and two others walked off, the jury was told.

Mr Crabree was found lying injured against railings.

(Proceeding).