Murder-accused 'only wanted to hurt Iraq war vet'

A man accused of murdering an Iraq War veteran who died after he punched him three times said he did not intend to cause him serious harm.

Gregory Twigg, 32, told a jury he "just wanted to give him a black eye" and was not "fired up on drink and coke and raging" when he confronted Lee Woodward, 39.

The attack, in Stoke-on-Trent on 24 June 2022, left retired British Army veteran Mr Woodward with brain damage, from which he did not recover and died in April 2023, Stafford Crown Court heard.

After Twigg, previously of Blurton, was jailed in September 2022, when he admitted grievous bodily harm with intent, the defendant is now being tried accused of Mr Woodward's murder.

Giving evidence, Twigg said he was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra being driven by friend Nathan Lockley and was heading for a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme when they encountered Mr Woodward, who had walked past their car in Hill Street.

Mr Woodward had shouted a profanity at them and commented on Mr Lockley's driving, saying he would "knock us all out," Twigg told the jury.

This led Mr Lockley to park in a nearby street before a confrontation took place.

Twigg was caught on camera throwing what prosecution counsel David Mason described as "powerful and cowardly" punches at Mr Woodward, who was in "no position to defend himself" after the first punch knocked him to the ground.

Twigg admitted he was "tipsy" at the time, having drunk vodka and sambuca and taken cocaine.

He said he felt "devastated" his punches caused Mr Woodward's death.

"It wasn't what I intended to cause, it wasn't what I wanted to happen," he said.

He admitted he had been "quite angry" after Mr Woodward's comments, telling the jury: "I just punched him, I wasn't thinking of causing him serious injuries, just a black eye or marks or injuries to the face.

"I wasn't thinking of kicking him in the head because I knew that would cause him serious harm on the floor."

In cross-examination, Twigg said he feared after the first punch that Mr Woodward was going to try to retaliate.

Twigg was asked why he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2022 if all he intended was to give Mr Woodward a black eye, to which he replied: "I thought I was doing the right thing."

The trial continues.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.