Ex-boxer beat father-of-eight to death, court told
A former professional boxer beat a father-of-eight to death at a pub before going for another drink at a bar down the road, a court heard.
Peter Nightingale is accused of using his "considerable skills" as a former professional fighter to kill Darren Jones at Greets Green Social Club. Around 50 pubgoers saw two fights just minutes apart between the pair in the lounge of the pub in Whitehall Road, Tipton, during a busy disco event, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
Mr Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said Nightingale "completely outmatched" Mr Jones, who was 15st.
Mr Walters said the victim was "no angel" in the incident. But he added:?"The defendant knew what he was capable of doing with his fists which as a boxer, are a weapon." Mr Walters said Nightingale, who denies murder, was trying to cause "serious harm" to Mr Jones.
While the 42-year-old drunk victim threw wild punches, Nightingale reverted to a boxers' stance and repeatedly punched him in the face, the court heard.
After knocking his victim to the floor, Mr Walters said, Nightingale continued to punch Mr Jones's head as he tried to get up.
The prosecution says the motive for the attack is unknown.
A couple of off-duty police officers witnessed the violence at 8pm on February 26.?One, Zoe Yates, tried to pull Nightingale away but he continued to punch Mr Jones until he left him unconscious, the jury heard.
Afterwards, he took a taxi to The Tilted Barrel pub, in Princes End, it was alleged.
When he returned home to South Road, Tipton, he put his trousers in the washing machine, the court heard.?When police arrested him the next day he said he connected with one punch and acted in self defence.
The trial continues.
