Man died following punch during drunken argument which spilled out onto street, trial hears
05.04.2022 - 13:57
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man died following a punch during a drunk argument with another man which spilled out onto the street, a trial has heard. Robert Payne, 60, had been drinking with Jamie Kennedy, 24, before the pair began arguing inside Mr Payne’s home in Derker, Oldham, it was said.
The argument spilled out onto the street, during which Mr Kennedy, of Royton, punched Mr Payne to the face, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the pavement, Manchester Crown Court heard.
He fell unconscious after hitting the floor, but prosecutors allege that Mr Kennedy leant over him and ‘delivered another three or four punches’ to his head and face. Mr Payne sadly died from his injuries three days later, the court heard.
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Mr Kennedy, of Garden Terrace, has previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but denies the offence of murder, jurors were told.
Francis McEntee, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Kennedy’s brother, Christopher, was a regular visitor to Mr Payne’s home on Frances Street, and would often drink with him and his partner. Mr Kennedy was a ‘less frequent visitor’, he said.
“The past association with Robert Payne (RP) may explain why the Kennedy brothers decided that they would make their way to “Uncle Bob’s” early in the morning of October 15 of last year,” Mr McEntee said.
“There had been some difficulty with Christopher Kennedy and he couldn’t stay at his flat, and together with two women, they set off towards Frances Street.
“It will appear that Mr Payne appeared happy to see the Kennedy brothers and appeared happy to start drinking with them before 7am. One of the women reports that between 7am and 9am, Mr