A RUNCORN man accused of killing a restaurant worker has told a jury today he was acting in self-defence.

Peter Taylor denies the manslaughter of Polish restaurant worker Lukasz Piotr Sawinski who suffered fatal head injuries after being punched in the head.

It is claimed that 31-year-old Taylor punched the victim to the back of the head as he went to help his friend, Rafal Otenburger, who Taylor had allegedly hit in the face.

But Taylor, of Westfield Crescent, told the jury at Liverpool Crown Court today that he only struck the victim in self-defence when he came running up the road towards him and his two friends.

He said that they were in Woodfield Road in Ellesmere Port after an evening out drinking as one of his friends had been told there was a party taking place in a house in that road.

While they were talking to a young woman householder, Mr Otenburger came running up the street.

As there was an altercation between him and Taylor’s friends she said she did not want trouble and shut the door and he and his friends left.

Taylor claimed that Mr Sawinski, a stranger, then ran at him and not knowing what he intended he caught him on the side of the face and he fell down.

Questioned by his barrister, Andrew Green, Taylor said: “I struck him in self-defence. It wasn’t a vicious attack, it was self-defence.”

He said that he had not gone out looking for trouble and denied hitting Mr Otenburger.

He said that they drove off after the incident.

Cross-examined by Henry Riding, prosecuting, Taylor, formerly of Eton Road, Ellesmere Port, denied that he had struck the victim hard and pointed out that there had been no marks on his face.

He also denied the prosecution claim that he had “poleaxed” Mr Sawinski with a blow from behind but admitted the blow he had struck, while standing on the kerb, had knocked him to the ground.

He said that he had not called an ambulance because one of his friends had asked the victim how he was and he said he was okay.

The court has heard that the two Poles were very drunk but Taylor denied a suggestion that they had been staggering and maintained they had run down the road.

Taylor denied knowing who shouted out “bastards” during the incident and also denied saying ‘that’s two of you sleeping now.”

Mr Riding suggested that he had been lying in his evidence but he denied that.

The court has heard that Mr Sawinski went back to the house he shared in Woodfield Road with Mr Otenburger and Mr Otenburger’s girlfriend after the attack and stayed in his room.

It was four days later on April 30 that Mr Otenburger became so concerned about his friend that he called an ambulance.

At hospital it was found he had suffered a fractured skill and bleeding to the brain.

After initially improving his condition deteriorated and he died on May 12, which was his 31st birthday.

The case continues.