Single blow could have caused man's fatal haemorrhage, Newport murder trial told

Barry Thomas, 45, was punched and kicked on the ground in Methuen Road, Newport, on June 2, a jury was told.

He died of 'fatal and catastrophic haemorrhage to the brain' two days later, Newport Crown Court heard.

Shaun Walker, 19, of Newman Close, Newport, and Calvin Wall, 46, of Walsall Street, Newport, both deny murdering the Bettws man.

Giving evidence yesterday, pathologist Dr Richard Jones said one blow near the neck could have been enough to cause his head to move back and rotate to the side and rupture his left vertebral artery.

He said an injury found on the lower side of his head below the left ear during a post mortem examination was consistent with the artery rupture.

He added that tests showed Mr Thomas had drunk alcohol and was more than twice over the drink-driving limit with 170mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

The legal limit on UK roads is 80mg per 100ml of blood, the jury heard.

Dr Jones told the court that his alcohol intake could have also been a factor in the death, by slowing down his response to a blow and also by dilating his blood vessels.

He told the court: "A blow to the head or neck provides the most acceptable explanation for the haemorrhage and death."

David Aubrey, QC, defending Walker, told the court that avoiding a blow by moving one's head back and to the side could have also caused the artery to rupture.

Mr Jones acknowledged the evasive action could have also caused the rupture and haemorrhage.

Yesterday, the court heard how Walker got into a fight with Mr Thomas after he jumped on his newly purchased moped.

Mr Thomas had planned to buy the bike but Walker had already purchased it, the court heard.

In a police interview, Walker said he headbutted Mr Thomas when he came at him with a pen.

The two ended up grappling each other and Walker punched him to the upper body around three times.

Wall then pulled him off Mr Thomas and they left in a car.

Proceeding.