COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A former professional boxer has denied causing the death of a firefighter when he hit him in a pub in Coventry.

Paul Gibbons served with West Midlands Fire and Rescue

Shane Walford, 33, is on trial for the murder of Paul Gibbons, who died the day after he was struck at Millsy's cafe bar in Earlsdon last year.

Prosecutors said Mr Gibbons had done nothing to provoke Mr Walford.

The jury heard Mr Gibbons had been lifted off his feet by the force of the punch and struck his head on the bar floor, causing brain injuries.

Mr Gibbons had been celebrating his 41st birthday when the incident occurred on 26 October.

Prosecuting, Peter Grieves-Smith said Mr Walford and Mr Gibbons had gone to the same bar and their paths had crossed.

"In short, the defendant punched Paul Gibbons hard to the face and he fell backwards, striking the back of his head on the tiled floor."

Witnesses will tell Stafford Crown Court the attack was unprovoked, he added.

Mr Walford told police he had hit Mr Gibbons, but had done so in self-defence.

"Paul Gibbons did absolutely nothing, the prosecution suggest, to make the defendant believe he was a threat," Mr Grieves-Smith said.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday.