A JOKE comment resulted in the death of a former Rossendale man after he was attacked in an alley, a court was told.

A murder trial jury heard how William Prosser was kicked in the head and body during the incident in Colchester, Essex, last April.

But a court was also told how Mr Prosser was himself partly to blame for starting the trouble which led to his death.

The 36-year-old, who lived in Newchurch from 1999 to 2000, had been visiting Colchester to see a former Royal Navy friend.

They had been both drinking, but became seperated and Mr Prosser ended up in the Subway sandwich bar in the town's High Street at around midnight on April 9 last year.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how he got talking to a group of younger people including 22-year-old Matthew Bourne.

Stephen Harvey QC, prosecuting, said there were no problems during the conversation but things changed a short while later.

Mr Prosser said something like "you can hire me for £2,000" meaning hire as a bodyguard or for security but Bourne replied "what, sexually."

Bourne told police later on it was meant as a joke, but the court heard how Mr Prosser punched him on the chin.

The court was told that Mr Prosser also said: "Don't get cocky with me or I'll put scars on your face."

Bourne, from Point Clear Road, St Osyth, said he did not respond and left the shop and decided to go back to his car, but was followed outside by Mr Prosser.

The jury of six men and six women heard Mr Prosser, from Lee Cross, Diggle, Oldham, and formerly of Rossendale, tried to grab Bourne, but he was pushed away and a friend of Bourne's appeared on the scene and hit Mr Prosser once and he fell down.

Mr Harvey alleged Bourne and Mr Prosser ended up in Balkerne Passage where Bourne kicked Mr Prosser on the head and body while he was on the ground before leaving the scene.

But Mr Harvey said he returned a few seconds later and continued the attack on Mr Prosser.

Mr Prosser died later in hospital without regaining consciousness, the jury were told.

Bourne denies a charge of murdering Mr Prosser.

Bourne went to police the next day after news of the death was revealed.

He declined to answer police questions but admitted in a statement he had pushed Mr Prosser after he tried to grab him.

Bourne said he saw his friend push or punch Mr Prosser and he fell down.

He added: "I was fearful he was going to attack me again. I accept I kicked him. I just wanted to protect myself."

But Mr Harvey alleged: "He went back not because he was in fear. He went back because he was angry and wanted revenge for what had happened in the sandwich shop."

The trial continues.