Karl Swift death: Witness and ex-workmate breaks down during Halesowen manslaughter trial

Liam Burrows had been out drinking with his friend Karl Swift and four other co-workers, including defendant Dean Hartley junior, at a Wetherspoon pub in Halesowen on September 8 when a row broke out over football.

The group got separated as they were kicked out of the William Shenstone pub but the next time Mr Burrows saw Mr Swift he was unconscious on the street, with alleged attacker Hartley standing over him, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mr Swift died in hospital two days later.

Mr Burrows told a jury: "When I come around the corner I could see from a distance a man lying on the ground and Dean junior standing above him. I ran over to where this person was laying, it was Karl, I said 'what's gone off, what the f**** gone off?'

"He (Hartley) looked agitated. He said 'he's fell over, he's fell over'."

Wiping tears away from his eyes, he added: "I went to Karl I was just bothered about his welfare. I tried saying 'Karl, Karl', there was no response so I immediately rung an ambulance."

A recording of the 999 call was played during the hearing where Mr Burrows, from Rotherham, was heard struggling to find out the road name of where they were.

Earlier, the witness had told the court he and Mr Swift, also from Rotherham, had been working in Bristol that day for Newark-based Aero Installations, which specialises in fitting working-at-height safety equipment. Mr Burrows said the pair had a job in Warwick the next day so their boss arranged for them to stay in a Travelodge in Halesowen with fellow employees Hartley junior, his father Dean Hartley senior, his uncle Kevin Hartley and Lee Ardron.

The court heard Mr Burrows and Mr Swift arrived at the William Shenstone around 4pm and the other four joined them later.

Mr Burrows, who has since left the company, said Manchester United fan Mr Swift and Hartley junior were talking about football when 'things got heated' and soon after the venue's management asked them all to leave.

Hartley, aged 30, of Burnaby Crescent, Sheffield, denies manslaughter. The trial continues.