A man died after he suffered a fatal brain injury when he was knocked unconscious in a sports bar following a row over a Staffordshire terrier puppy, a court heard.

CCTV from inside the pub showed Craig Gill grab hold of Richard Smith-Slater after he was whipped with a dog lead before being punched three or four times to the 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.

Dr Jennifer Bolton, a forensic pathologist, told Teesside Crown Court that Mr Gill went into a deep state of unconsciousness after he stopped breathing and suffered a cardiac arrest.

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

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

Dr Bolton told jurors that the alleged victim had a bruise to his eye lid and a relatively small gash to his head consistent with injuries suffered during an assault.

She said: “His brain had been affected significantly by the lack of blood supply and, with that, a lack of oxygen to the brain. He also had injuries to the nerve fibres of the brain.

“His brain had been significantly and irretrievably damaged by the lack of blood and oxygen.”

The forensic specialist added: “The cause of death was blunt force head injuries caused by or precipitated by a blow to the face.”

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

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

Transcripts of his police interview were read out to the jury and the defendant maintained that he had acted in self-defence after their row escalated inside the bar.

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

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They 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.