A DAD celebrating his son’s wedding anniversary was knocked unconscious and died three weeks later, a court heard.

Steven Warburton was knocked out and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the ground.

He died weeks later in hospital as a result of a cardiac arrest which medical experts concluded was a direct result of brain injury he sustained after being punched.

However, the man accused - Brodie Groome - denies manslaughter and said he was acting in self-defence.

Groome, 27, of Sydney Street, Brightlingsea, punched 56-year-old Mr Warburton in the early hours of August 19 during an altercation in Vineyard Street car park in Colchester.

Ipswich Crown Court was told yesterday Mr Warburton had been enjoying a night out in the town centre with his family, who were celebrating the first wedding anniversary of his son and daughter-inlaw, Byron and Olivia Warburton.

The jury at heard one of Groome’s friends Josh Sargent aggressively approached Mr Warburton’s wife, Caroline Warburton.

An altercation ensued in which Olivia Warburton to fall to the floor before Mr Warburton senior intervened to help his wife and daughter-in-law.

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There was also a clash between Groome and Byron Warburton, who is an Army corporal, the court heard.

The jury was shown video footage of the incident taken by a witness on their phone, as well as CCTV footage from Vineyard Street car park.

Nicola May, prosecuting, told the court Groome acted in a “thoroughly unapologetic manner”.

She added: “This was not someone who was fearful of his safety, rather, he was in control of the situation.

“The prosecution submit that Groome shouted to Byron: ‘You hit me bruv, so I banged your boy’.

“This does not come close to the defence the defendant has claimed – that he was acting in self-defence.”

Olivia Warburton also gave a witness statement in-person.

She said: “Brodie was trying to escalate things.

“I remember him going into a fighting stance shouting ‘Come on then, come on then, I’m going to kill you’.”

In a witness statement at Ipswich Crown Court, she said: “He said it loudly and repeatedly, as if he was spitting the words out.

“Brodie then advanced forwards and I remember the fight escalating.”

The case continues