Two off-duty police officers who were drinking in a village pub when a fight broke out nearby have told a manslaughter trial of the "horrifying sound" made as a man hit his head on the floor.

PC Gary Prescott and his partner PC Emma Robinson at the Suffield Arms pub in Thorpe Market when Dale Jackson, 58, became involved in a confrontation with another man, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Eastern Daily Press: Scene of fatal fight at Thorpe MarketScene of fatal fight at Thorpe Market (Image: Submitted)They saw the man, who we are identifying only as D, being pushed by Mr Jackson before the victim was felled by a punch.

The blow knocked him out and caused him to hit his head on the floor resulting in serious injuries from which he died a few days later.

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.

Giving evidence on Thursday, PC Robinson said it appeared Mr Jackson was knocked out and fell back before there was the "most horrifying sound" of his head hitting the floor.

PC Robinson, who has been a Norfolk police officer for 15 years, said she and her partner had not been at the pub long before they heard an argument between two males which "appeared to be about work".

She told Will Carter, prosecuting, the argument seemed to be "escalating" before Mr Jackson pushed D with both hands to the chest.

The officer said D went back a step before punching Mr Jackson with a "quick barrage" of punches resulting in Mr Jackson falling and hitting his head.

Although he was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following the incident, Mr Jackson died six days later.

After seeing Mr Jackson fall PC Robinson ran to help and took the keys out of D's car to ensure he could not leave.

The jury also heard from her partner PC Prescott, a police officer for almost 30 years.

He said he heard "raised voices" from the "two males arguing" before a push from Mr Jackson on D, prompting the punch that left the victim "out cold on his feet" and floored him.

PC Prescott described Mr Jackson hitting the floor as being like a "hollow sound" when an Easter Egg is thrown on the floor to break it.

He said he ran across to carry out CPR on Mr Jackson who was  "motionless and unconscious".

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

The trial continues.