Attack led to worker's death plunge, court told

Michael Reeves, 25, of Millfield, Sunderland, is accused at Teesside Crown Court of the manslaughter of Michael Burrup, 36. He denies the charge.

Christopher Knox, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Burrup died in the early hours of June 9 last year, while making his way home from a pub lock-in. He had been out drinking in Crook, County Durham, with a friend, Michael Blenkinsopp, before returning to Stanhope, where they both lived.

There, they went into the Packhorse pub, and met an elderly local man whose friends from Sunderland were visiting - among them Mr Reeves.

When they left the pub, at 3am, Mr Burrup and Mr Blenkinsopp planned to show Mr Reeves a short cut to the caravan site where he was staying, before making their way to their homes in Railway Terrace.

But Mr Knox told the court how Mr Reeves, who was three-times over the limit for drink driving and who had also taken diazapam, stole a bicycle and rode it into Mr Burrup, knocking him over.

The local men walked on alone, with no idea that Mr Reeves was behind them. They took a route up Craggledy Crag, a path with a steep drop to one side down to the River Wear, near the Heather View Caravan Park.

Then Mr Reeves ran up to Mr Burrup and either pushed him or made some contact which made him fall over.

The court heard that there were noises like slaps or punches and the pair ended up on the edge of the path, then fell into the water below.

Mr Blenkinsopp told the jury he found Mr Reeves face down in the water, still breathing. He said Mr Burrup was also face down but had stopped breathing

He tried to resuscitate him, then ran to a nearby caravan to call for help.

The court heard that Mr Burrup suffered several injuries in the fall, including a fractured skull and broken ribs. He was unconscious when he hit the water, and drowned.

There were several injuries which showed Mr Burrup had been assaulted before the fall.

The case continues.