Man told killer to stop before fatal punch, court told

A man was heard telling his killer to "stop fighting" in his final words before he was fatally punched outside a pub in West Sussex, a court has heard.

David Hallatt, 57, died from blunt force head injury after he fell during the attack at The Dolphin and Anchor in Chichester on 20 June.

A trial at Hove Crown Court heard that Mr Hallatt, of Sheffield, was acting as a "peacemaker" between a "troublemaker friend" and other men.

Kieran Egan, 30, of Birmingham, has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Hallatt, as he dealt the punch to his face, but denies murder.

Dyce Barnfield, 31, also of Birmingham, is jointly charged with his murder and accused of assisting and encouraging Mr Egan. He also denies murder.

Jurors watched CCTV footage of the moments leading up to Mr Hallatt's death, in which Mr Egan is seen trying to stamp on Mr Hallatt's friend before turning to Mr Hallatt and striking him in the face.

Opening the case, prosecutor John Price KC said: "Mr Hallatt died where he fell; he never recovered consciousness.

"Following the blow that struck him in the face, the back of his head struck the ground with great force, fracturing his skull and causing massive damage to his brain."

Mr Price KC added: "Mr Hallatt did nothing wrong that night. He was a peacemaker.

"The last words he was overheard to say were addressed to the man who killed him, and only seconds before it happened."

A guest at the pub heard Mr Hallatt say to Mr Egan, referring to his friend, "Stop fighting; he's drunk. Please, please, he doesn't mean it," the court was told.

The trial continues.

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