A SINGLE punch led to the death a Hampshire man, a court heard.

Brynley Edwards, 39, of Pond Road, Sarisbury Green, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court for the manslaughter of Paul Whiteside - a 37-year-old lorry driver from Marchwood.

Prosecutor Nigel Seed QC told jurors that Edwards struck Mr Whiteside at Abshot Hotel and Country Club in Titchfield Common after a row about a woman on October 29 last year.

Mr Whiteside, whose skull had a 20cm main fracture and other fractures, was rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, after the incident. The former sailor died a few days later without regaining consciousness.

The prosecutor said Edwards, who has denied one count of manslaughter, had been in a large group with his now wife, Janice Edwards. Whiteside, who had never met Edwards before, was with one male friend.

Mrs Edwards was on the dance floor of the club with two girlfriends when the first altercation between the two men arose.

The prosecutor said: "Among those who paid them some attention was Paul Whiteside. At that point the defendant said 'leave it out'."

He added: "While dancing the defendant was seen to push someone away. It would appear this person was Paul Whiteside."

The jury heard how Edwards approached Whiteside and said: "Are you talking about me, because if you are you can come outside now."

In police interview Edwards admitted grabbing Mr Whiteside's collar.

Edwards and Mr Whiteside later left the club together.

Stuart Loveday, a witness, said he saw Edwards suddenly turn towards the other man.

"He turned around very quickly to face Brynley Edwards in an aggressive way. It looked to me like he was going to strike him"

"Then Bryn just pushed out and hit him. It was a half punch, half a push. It wasn't forceful."

Whiteside fell straight back on the ground.

Mr Loveday said Edwards looked "reasonably calm" before the incident.

Another witness, Kerrie Bennett, who put Mr Whiteside into the recovery position after the punch, told the court that Edwards had asked how he was and said later: "It was just one punch. I hope he is going to be all right."

Proceeding

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