Man denies one punch attack outside Norwich city centre pub

John Fisher had been out with a friend when he was "punched in the face" outside the Louis Marchesi pub in Tombland.

Norwich Crown Court heard Mr Fisher suffered a bleed on the brain and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital following the attack in the early hours of August 8, 2021.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)George Baldwin, 27, has gone on trial accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The jury of seven men and five women heard Mr Fisher had been "out with a friend" on the night of the attack.

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the incident during which there appeared to be a confrontation between Baldwin and Mr Fisher outside the Louis Marchesi where Mr Fisher was "punched in the face".

Giving evidence Mr Fisher told Chris Youell, prosecuting, he had been heading towards Prince of Wales Road with the last thing he remembered being "outside the Edith Cavell" pub before he recalled "being in the ambulance or in hospital".

Jurors heard Mr Fisher spent three days at Addenbrooke's having suffered a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, bleed on the brain, as well as a ruptured ear drum.

Baldwin, from Lincolnshire, gave evidence in his defence later on Monday (September 18) and told Michael Clare, defending, he had been to a charity boxing event with friends earlier in the evening, and had been staying at the Louis Marchesi.

He told Mr Clare he was "drunk but not intoxicated" and had encountered Mr Fisher who he said had been "swearing" and using "angry talk".

Baldwin said Mr Fisher was "much bigger than me" and was "angry" and panicked about "what he might do".

He said in that "split second" he swung a punch to "stun" Mr Fisher in order that he "wouldn't be hurt himself".

Baldwin said: "I didn't want to be in that situation".

Mr Clare asked: "Did you want what happened to happen?"

He replied: "No, not at all."

Baldwin has denied inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.