Scaffolder 'heartbroken' by death of man he punched

A scaffolder was "heartbroken" when told that a man he punched outside a sports club after watching a Euro 2024 football game had died, jurors have heard.

Oscar Jackson, 21, from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, hit Grant Wallendorf, 45, in the face after both had watched the game between England and Serbia at a sports club in Ickleford on 16 June.

Mr Wallendorf, who also lived in Hitchin, suffered a brain injury and died in hospital.

Mr Jackson, who denies charges of murder and manslaughter, said he threw a punch in "self-defence" and did not intend to harm or kill.

Jurors at the Crown Court trial in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, heard the incident was caught on CCTV that Mr Wallendorf had installed at the club.

Footage played at the trial showed Mr Wallendorf gesticulating in the club's car park after the game, before being punched by Mr Jackson.

Mr Wallendorf could be seen falling backwards and lying flat.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Wilshire read out a statement that Mr Jackson, of Wilshere Crescent, had given to police after being arrested.

He said he had watched the game with friends at the club and had gone to urinate in bushes near the car park, when a man he did not know approached.

The man was abusive and aggressive and told him he was "disgusting", he said.

Mr Jackson said the man "threatened me with getting into trouble" and told him there was CCTV installed.

He said he had gone inside to use a toilet but the man had approached him again when he walked back outside.

"He said, 'I don't care how tall you are, you are going to feel my power'," Mr Jackson told police.

"I punched him once."

Mr Jackson said he had not punched him with "anything close to full power".

"I didn't intend for him to be harmed or killed," he added.

"I was so heartbroken when I heard what had happened.

"The punch was thrown purely in self defence, as I believed I was about to be assaulted by him. It was a pre-emptive strike."

Mr Wilshire told jurors that Mr Wallendorf had been served with nine pints of lager during the late afternoon and evening of 16 June.

He said Mr Jackson had been served with two pints of lager and one double vodka and coke.

The trial is due to continue on Monday.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.