A man killed following an attack near a Norfolk pub was "knocked unconscious on his feet" before he fell and hit his head on the floor resulting in fatal injuries, a court has heard.

Dale Jackson, 58, was leaving the Suffield Arms pub in Thorpe Market in his Mercedes when he encountered another man, who cannot be named for legal reasons but who we are identifying only as D.

Eastern Daily Press: The Suffield Arms pubThe Suffield Arms pub (Image: Newsquest)The two men became involved in an argument and Mr Jackson, who was initially aggressive towards D, was punched in the head.

He was knocked out before falling to the floor and striking his head on the ground.

Mr Jackson, who suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain, was airlifted to hospital after the incident but died a few days later.

Eastern Daily Press: Floral tributes to Dale JacksonFloral tributes to Dale Jackson (Image: Newsquest)D, a man in his 40s from Norfolk, has gone on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of manslaughter following the incident just before 6pm on September 17, 2021.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Opening the prosecution case on Wednesday (November 29) Will Carter said "a number of people were watching" as Mr Jackson pulled his vehicle in front of D's car.

He said both men were "becoming cross and angry".

Mr Jackson was first to get out of his car and was shouting towards D who then got out of his vehicle and "fronted up" to Mr Jackson.

The jury of eight men and four women were told Mr Jackson pushed D away "quite forcefully".

Mr Carter said D, who had his "fists clenched" threw a punch at Mr Jackson who had his arms "by his side".

He said Mr Jackson "didn't even see the punch that was coming" before it connected and rendered him "unconscious on his feet".

Mr Jackson, from Cromer, "fell straight back and because he was unconscious didn't break his fall at all."

His head head hit the road making a sound that was "pretty loud and horrible".

Eastern Daily Press: Flowers left after Dale Jackson was fatally injuredFlowers left after Dale Jackson was fatally injured (Image: Newsquest)Others at the pub witnessed the incident, including two off-duty police officers who ran to help the "very gravely injured" Mr Jackson.

He suffered a fractured skull and "a very serious brain injury" and died at Addenbrooke's on September 23, 2021.

Mr Carter said the prosecution assert when D killed Mr Jackson he did so unlawfully and "was not acting in self-defence".

D, who is represented by Stephen Spence, has denied manslaughter.

The trial continues.