Accused heard 'thud' after punch

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An ex-boxer has told a jury how he punched a man a man in self defence, then heard "a horrible sickening thud" as his victim's head hit the ground.

Paul Humphreys, 35, from Wrexham, punched Neil Edwards, 39, also of Wrexham, after a row in a pub car park.

Mr Edwards, who had been celebrating the birth of his third child, died nine days later in hospital.

Mr Humphreys denies manslaughter and assault and the trial continues at Mold Crown Court.

The prosecution allege there had been "banter" between Mr Humphreys and Mr Edwards, his brother Wayne and a friend, inside the Acton Park Hotel in Wrexham.

I had not intended to hit anybody. They were supposed to be my friends Paul Humphreys, defendant

However, when the Edwards party left, it is alleged Mr Humphreys went after them and was "simmering with resentment".

Giving evidence on Thursday, Mr Humphreys denied being the aggressor.

Asked by his barrister John McDermott QC why he punched Mr Edwards, Mr Humphreys said: "He was punching me.

"It was just a quick punch, just a reflex."

Mr Humphreys said he was off-balance and delivered a straight punch to "stop him in his tracks".

"There was no power in it. It was just a snap of a fist," he added.

"I was surprised he fell backwards. I then heard the sound of his head hitting the ground."

Mr Humphreys continued: "I leaned over and asked him if he was ok. I knew he was bad."

Mr Humphreys, who had two amateur fights when he was 21 and 26, told the jury he had not boxed for 10 years, and was not a boxer.

He said he knew Neil Edwards' brother Wayne from work at the Flintshire Airbus plant and regarded them both as friends.

He claimed Wayne Edwards "shot me down" that night, and had been "running me down for no reason" over the fact he had been made redundant and his marriage had failed.

He said he followed them to ask why they had treated him that way, adding: "I had not intended to hit anybody. They were supposed to be my friends."

As well as denying manslaughter, Mr Humphreys also denies assault, claiming he hit Wayne Edwards when he made a move to grab him.