Accused in Danny Dix manslaughter trial landed "haymaker" punch on assault victim, court told

 

Brock Playforth (25), of Ambleside Walk, North Anston, is accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent for an alleged assault on Tyrone Wilkinson, which he denies.

The incident is said to have happened moments after he allegedly attacked father-of-one Danny Dix (38) on Bridgegate at about 4.45pm on Saturday, March 9, last year. Mr Dix died in hospital a week later.

Playforth is on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of Mr Dix alongside Liam Green (23), of Rotherham Road, Maltby and Kyle Beech (27), of Lansbury Avenue, Maltby. They all deny manslaughter.

Green and Playforth have admitted affray in connection with the incident, along with four other men. Beech denies affray.

The jury previously heard that Playforth had assaulted Mr Wilkinson while he was on the ground.

Mr Wilkinson had tried to protect himself from the blows and had managed to stand up and start to get away.

Mr Peter Moulson, prosecuting, asked the jury during his closing speech what Playforth’s response to that had been.

“To put as much force as is possible for [Playforth] to generate into a punch,” he said.

Mr Moulson said that in many parts of the country it would have been described as a “haymaker” punch.

He said there had been no hostility between Rotherham United supporters during the rest of the day.

Mr Moulson said there had been rowdy behaviour in the County and abuse had been directed towards bar staff.

He said no punches had been thrown until Playforth had decided to run towards the group from the Angel.

Mr Moulson said that Beech had said in his evidence that he had thought the group from the Angel had been hooligans.

“Go home then, Mr Beech,” he said.

“Make your way down Frederick Street and go home.”

Mr Moulson said Playforth had been so frightened of the group from the Angel that he would be expected to run home.

“What does the evidence show – 'I know, I’ll put my foot on his head, or put it near his head,'” he said.

“You, Mr Playforth, that’s you being in terror of this group from the Angel — or is it evidence of something you wanted to happen, of you being prepared to be the instigator?

“Running off — that’s what you would expect of someone in fear.”

The trial continues.