FORENSIC experts have disagreed over the cause of injuries to a man who was allegedly murdered in a Newport street.

Jan Jedrzejewski, 41, died in hospital after he was found unresponsive close to Cromwell Road at around 11pm on January 12, following an incident in Keene Street.

Richard Wallis, 43, of Keene Street, Callum Banton, 18, of Fleetwood Close, Shaquille Crosdale, 18, of Fleetwood Close and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, have pleaded not guilty to his murder.

As the trial continued at Newport Crown Court yesterday, pathologist Dr Ryk James told the jury he believed Mr Jedrzejewski had been assaulted before his death.

Dr James told the court that the most significant injuries in relation to the death were to the face of Mr Jedrzejewski.

The pathologist said the injuries, including swelling of the upper lip and chips to the teeth, suggested he had been assaulted.

He said the injuries were “entirely consistent” with a kick to the mouth, or could have been caused by more than one punch or by being hit with a piece of wood.

When questioned by Paul Lewis QC, he said he did not believe the injuries could have been caused by Mr Jedrzejewski falling straight forwards onto his face.

The court heard that Mr Jedrzejewski had a high level of alcohol in his body, more than three times the drink drive limit, which Dr James said was significant.

“Brain injuries which would not normally cause a fatal outcome do if you are drunk,” Dr James said.

He explained that alcohol would have weakened Mr Jedrzejewski's protective reflexes and that “limited blows” combined with intoxication could have resulted in a fatal outcome.

But professor Peter Vanazis, also a forensic pathologist, said he believed the cause of Mr Jedrzejewski’s injuries to the face were most likely caused by a fall.

Prof Vanazis said because Mr Jedrzejewski was drunk, he would have been unable to stop himself falling.