Pal attacked bridge death teen, jury told

A teenager plunged off a bridge into a river after being assaulted by his friend from Wolverhampton during a night out, a court has heard.

Mark Hoolichan, aged 21, of Stubby Lane, Wednesfield, is accused of killing Jack McLeod during an "outburst of temper", which caused the 17-year-old to fall to his death in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Jack's body was found in the River Leam a month later during a police search.

Birmingham Crown Court heard yesterday that the pair had been drinking at an Irish social club where Jack also worked as a part-time glass collector on the night of his disappearance on December 4, 2005.

A post mortem concluded that Jack died from the shock of falling into the water, a process known as dry drowning, the jury was told.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Anthony Barker QC said Hoolichan was left with an injury to his back, indicating signs of a struggle. "There was an outburst of temper by him which resulted in Jack being ejected from the bridge into the river," he told the court.

Mr Barker said Hoolichan maintained that he had left his drunk friend on a bench near the river.

The prosecution claims that Hoolichan, who worked for Burger King at the time, assaulted Jack on Adelaide Bridge, causing the teenager to fall into the river below.

Mr Barker said Hoolichan had told "different stories to different people" following Jack's disappearance.

Hoolichan denies manslaughter and an alternative charge of manslaughter by gross negligence.

An inquest heard that on the night of his disappearance, Jack had been drinking in a bar in the town before staff ejected him after challenging him about his age.

Jack, also known by the name Fisher, then took Hoolichan and another friend, Sean Rellis, to the Irish club.

His mother and stepfather raised the alarm the next day after realising he had not come home.

The trial continues.