Witness tells jury of single punch attack in Norwich manslaughter trial

Alan Jewitt, from Gertrude Road, Norwich, died after he was hit outside the city's Chicago's nightclub, in Prince of Wales Road, on August 12.

Norwich Crown Court heard yesterday how witness Aaron Reed watched as an argument involving Mr Jewitt, 43, and a work colleague of defendant Ion Lacatus became 'volatile'.

Lacatus, 27, of Kettlebaston Road, London, who punched Mr Jewitt, but denies manslaughter, gestured for Mr Jewitt to walk away. But despite starting to leave, jurors heard Mr Jewitt, returned following another remark by Lacatus's work colleague, Robert Albern. Mr Reed's statement, read out in court, said: 'Mr Jewitt turned around and gestured with his arms outstretched in a lateral, raised position. This I interpreted as a 'come on then' gesture.'

The court heard Mr Reed describe how Lacatus twice tried to 'lightly' pull Mr Jewitt, pictured, away from confronting Mr Albern.

On the third occasion, Mr Reed said he watched the defendant put his left arm forward, pulled his right arm with a clenched fist back to his shoulder before delivering a 'powerful blow' to Mr Jewitt's left temple. He continued: 'I didn't hear the blow. As soon as he was hit it was apparent the victim was out cold or unconscious.'

Lacatus looked shocked and the three men moved around as 'if in a state of panic', according to Mr Reed. The witness added Lacatus was pulled away by his friends and they walked off in the direction of the city centre.

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary carried out the victim's post-mortem examination and told the court the punch to the left temple damaged a vertebral artery, which released blood into the region of the brain stem. This caused a very rapid cardiac arrest.He added this type of injury was unusual but not unheard of. In cross-examination by Jude Durr, representing Lacatus, Dr Cary said: 'I don't think you could set out to cause this injury.' The trial continues.