Neath landlord killed by single punch outside his pub

A 16-year-old killed a Neath landlord with a single punch as he tried to break up a group of teenagers outside his pub, a court heard today.

Mark Winchcombe, 58, had closed up his pub for the night when he went out to challenge the group of teenagers across the road.

The court heard he died of a "catastrophic brain injury" after being struck near the Smiths Arms in Neath.

Swansea Crown Court heard Mr Winchcombe was trying to move on the group when he was hit by the 16-year-old yob.

Prosecutor John Hipkin QC said: "The boy and his group of friends were out on the streets after taking cocaine."

Mr Winchcombe, who was drinking with friends inside his pub at the time, was "asked to move on" the gang from outside after a row with a passer-by Geraint Morgan after midnight.

But the court heard he was having trouble with the shouting group.

Taxi driver Stephen Davies decided to stop his vehicle as he was "worried that Mark was in trouble" with the gang.

Mr Hipkin said the boy - who cannot be named - was heard saying: "I'm not gonna hit you mate, I'm not gonna hit you."

Swansea Crown Court heard that seconds later he was struck to the ground.

The court heard five of the "gang" then ran off - but one of the group stayed to try to help Mr Winchcombe.

The landlord was taken to Morriston Hospital where neurosurgeons ruled his head injury was "unsurvivable". He was pronounced dead at 4am on September 1 last year.

Nicola Powell, defending, asked taxi driver Mr Davies whether Mr Morgan and Mr Winchcombe were "giving it back" to the youths when he arrived

Mr Davies there was "no violence" and there was "no threat" as it was "two against six".

The boy, who cannot be named, denies manslaughter. The trial continues.