Nathan Gothard Fatally Punched David Darke Near Appleby Magna Pub, Leicester Crown Court Hears

Nathan Gothard, 32, stands accused of murder at Leicester Crown Court, where prosecutors contend he delivered a lethal punch to David Darke following a pub brawl in Appleby Magna on 21 December.

Prosecutor Peter Joyce KC detailed that Gothard, who had been in the Crown Inn since late afternoon, created a "menacing, threatening, argumentative and disputing" atmosphere. He reportedly made unwelcome advances towards female members of a staff Christmas party visiting the pub and asserted it was "his terrain".

The court heard that the landlady and her partner escorted Gothard, who lived nearby, from the premises to de-escalate the situation. However, Gothard then engaged in a fight with another man whom he had been "riling and niggling".

Gothard lost this initial fight, was knocked down, and sustained a facial injury. Critically, 66-year-old David Darke, the man subsequently killed, assisted Gothard to his feet. Joyce stated that in a fit of rage after his defeat, Gothard then "attacked Mr Darke to save his own face", striking him so forcefully that Darke hit his head on the ground.

Darke was hospitalised and died a few days later. Gothard, of Church Street, Appleby Magna, denies both murder and an alternative count of manslaughter. The trial continues.