A man who was fatally knocked out following a row about a dog wandering around a town centre bar never threw a punch during the altercation, a jury has heard.

Richard Smith-Slater lashed out with a dog lead before grappling with his fellow drinker and then delivering at least three punches to Craig Gill’s head.

The 61-year-old fell backwards and hit his head on the floor of Blakes bar in Newton Aycliffe after being knocked unconscious by the defendant, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The Northern Echo: Craig GillCraig Gill (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Bar manager Angela Williams told jurors she had seen the defendant hit Mr Gill three or four times inside the pub on July 8, last year and the alleged murder victim never threw a punch.

She added: “I ran round the bar and Craig was on the floor and I saw blood. I got on my phone straightaway and called for an ambulance, at that point Richard was running out of the door.”

Andrew Grey, who was drinking in the bar at the time of the incident, said Mr Gill never left his side during the confrontation and didn’t throw a punch towards Smith-Slater.

Joshua Simmons, who was in the bar while on a stag do, said the verbal altercation became physical within a few minutes.

He added: “From what I can remember the first male (the defendant) threw the first punch- I don’t think it connected properly. I think he threw another three after that.”

Jurors watched CCTV of Mr Gill lying prone on the floor while the defendant quickly left the pub while some other customers remonstrated with him as he fled.

The Northern Echo: Forensic officers working in Blakes bar in Newton AycliffeForensic officers working in Blakes bar in Newton Aycliffe (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Mr Gill was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, in critical condition and his death was confirmed there five days later.

The 33-year-old defendant was originally facing a charge of wounding arising from the incident but was later charged with murder.

Jurors watched CCTV footage of the short-lived violence at the start of the defendant’s murder trial.

Nick Dry, prosecuting, said the defendant will claim that he acted in self-defence but he told the jury that the CCTV footage shows a completely different story and said Mr Gill was murdered as a result of the row.

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The jury also watched body-worn footage when police arrested the defendant at his Newton Aycliffe home hours after Mr Craig was left unconscious on the bar’s floor claiming he had acted in self-defence.

The footage recorded the accused telling police that he had "sorted out a d***head" in the pub and "had done nothing wrong".

Smith-Slater, of Bury Road, Newton Aycliffe, has pleaded not guilty to murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter.

The trial continues.