Killed man was 'Jekyll and Hyde'

A man who died a month after allegedly being pushed to the ground in a drunken row was a "Jekyll and Hyde character", a court has heard.

Nick Baty, 47, was stamped upon and kicked by Joseph Thomas, 18, outside a gym in Brackla, Bridgend, south Wales, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

Mr Thomas, of Brackla, denies murder on the basis that he was acting in self defence and did not mean to cause harm.

The jury has heard Mr Baty stopped to help a drunk boy when he was attacked.

Mr Thomas admitted pushing and stamping on Mr Baty, but told police he had acted in self-defence because Mr Baty was "drunk and threatening".

After the attack outside the Physique gym on 4 January, Mr Baty was taken to hospital but went into a coma and died a month later when his life support machine was turned off.

John Charles Rees QC, defending, told the jury: "This is not a Good Samaritan case.

"He confronted three youths he thought were drunk and making a nuisance of themselves."

'Binge drinker'

Mr Rees said father-of-one Mr Baty was a man who "drank to excess", describing him as a "binge drinker".

He added that he was mentally unstable, and a "Jekyll and Hyde character".

Ross Frewen, 20, has said Mr Baty, from Brackla, showed concern to his friend Dai Davies who was sleeping on the floor outside the gym.

He said that he, Mr Davies and Mr Thomas had been drinking during the evening, and that Mr Thomas wanted to leave Mr Davies where he was.

Mr Baty, who had been attending a wake at the nearby Two Brewers' pub, walked past at 2100 GMT and approached the group, the court heard.

Mr Thomas is alleged to have "shoved" the older man, who told the trio he was a police officer, after becoming agitated.

Mr Baty died in hospital on 10 February, having developed pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis without ever regaining consciousness in intensive care.

Mr Thomas has chosen not to give evidence in the trial, which has been adjourned.

The case continues.