A court has heard a man who was killed after he was knocked to the floor in a fight near a village pub was hit with the most "extreme force".

Dale Jackson, 58, died after becoming involved in a confrontation with another man who cannot be named for legal reasons but who we are calling D, near the Suffield Arms in Thorpe Market.

D, a man in his 40s from Norfolk, has gone on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of Mr Jackson who died in hospital days later after he was admitted with serious head injuries following the incident on September 17, 2021.

Eastern Daily Press: Note left as part of tribute to Dale JacksonNote left as part of tribute to Dale Jackson (Image: Newsquest)Giving evidence on Tuesday, Ivor Braka, an art dealer who owns the Suffield Arms, said he had gone to the Thorpe Market pub to speak to a new head chef and was chatting to a customer outside when he became aware of a confrontation involving Mr Jackson and another man.

Mr Braka, who had seen Mr Jackson seemingly in a "good mood" in the pub earlier in the afternoon, said he heard lots of "shouting and swearing" between the two men.

He said Mr Jackson appeared to "push the other man" with both his hands at the top of his chest.

Eastern Daily Press: Suffield Arms pubSuffield Arms pub (Image: Newsquest)Mr Braka told jurors Mr Jackson then fell backwards having been punched by the other man.

He said he heard "the most horrible noise" of Mr Jackson falling backwards and hitting his head on the road.

Mr Braka said the punch must have been of "extreme force".

The jury of seven men and five women also heard evidence from Leanne Facey, assistant manager of the Suffield Arms, who initially saw the confrontation between Mr Jackson and the other man from an office window.

She thought there had been a crash between the two men who had both got out of their vehicles and went outside but could just hear "shouting".

As she got to just a few metres away from the two, she saw Mr Jackson punched in the face before falling to the floor.

She said Mr Jackson fell "straight back" with his "arms by his side" and looked in a "very bad way" on the floor.

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

The trial continues.