A MAN who killed his friend with a single punch after being threatened with a glass during a drunken row says he acted in self-defence.

Michael Halliday maintains he delivered the blow to Antony Robinson without realising the devastating impact it had on his friend of 20 years.

The pair became embroiled in a dispute after Mr Robinson blew all of his money on the slot machines in The Roundel pub in Thornaby last September, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Halliday, giving evidence in his trial for manslaughter, says his friend demanded he give the £70 he spent gambling and when he refused, the defendant said he was threatened with a glass.

Following a verbal confrontation, Halliday pushed Mr Robinson off a bar stool before storming out of the pub.

Mr Robinson, known as Anto, followed him outside and another confrontation took place which left him knocked out cold and he later died following the violent incident.

Halliday's defence barrister, Sam Green QC, asked him what happened outside the pub, pictured below.

The Northern Echo:

"I thought he was going to attack me," he replied. "He was already attacking me, grabbing my arms, forcing me down a dark path."

Mr Green QC asked him if it had crossed his mind that he had any other option. He replied: "No, it wasn’t something I thought about. It was simply a defensive reaction to his reaction, trying to lunge at me."

Jurors heard how Halliday sent a text message saying: “What the f*** was that why you try to glass me?”. Then another saying: “I love you to bits but why you try to attack me?”

He then tried to call him several times.

When asked whether the messages and calls were an elaborate way of setting up a 'self-serving' defence, Halliday denied that was case and said he was genuinely worried about his friend.

Halliday was asked how he felt, standing in court and giving evidence following his friend's death, he replied: "It’s devastating. We have our birthdays on the same day. I will never forget this for the rest of my life.

"I know the consequences it’s had on both families.”

The pair had been drinking for several hours, along with Halliday’s son Jacob, before the short-lived violence erupted.

The jurors had heard how the friends had been drinking together before trouble flared inside the pub before reaching its fatal climax outside, just minutes later.

The court heard that the three men had been in good spirits during the evening and their behaviour had caused no alarm to anyone until the final minutes of Mr Robinson’s life.

Mark Watts, assistant manager of The Roundel pub, said he had no concerns about their behaviour before he heard Mr Robinson crash to the floor.

The court heard how Halliday worked off-shore but also runs a company named Cosy Homes North East Ltd and Mr Robinson would occasionally do some jobs for him.

Halliday, of Dresser Lane, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, denies the charge.

The 40-year-old’s trial continues.