AN OLDHAM man on trial for the murder of a 60-year-old man in Derker has said he should have walked away from the altercation but was too intoxicated.

Jamie Kennedy, of Garden Terrace, Royton, blamed his poor decision making, which led to the death of Robert Payne, 60, on alcohol, as the trial came to an end today (April 7).

He also admitted he intended to cause Mr Payne some harm during their dispute, but did not mean for it end up how it did.

Kennedy, 24, struck Mr Payne to the head following an argument outside his property on Frances Street on October 15, 2021.

Mr Payne hit his head on the floor and eventually died in Salford Royal Hospital three days later due to the head injuries suffered.

Kennedy also struck Mr Payne several times whilst the deceased was on the floor, unconscious.

Speaking at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday, Kennedy said: "I could've walked away but at the time I was drunk and angry and I lost it."

He said he had been trying to leave Mr Payne's flat after he had asked him to, but said Mr Payne kept shoving him.

Kennedy, who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, denies threatening to kill Mr Payne, known to many as Bob, and said they were exchanging fiery comments.

He added that he and Mr Payne had agreed to fight.

Prosecuting Francis McEntee said that although Kennedy had expressed remorse, it did not change his actions.

Father-of-two Kennedy previously said he was "very sorry" to Mr Payne's family and friends and that he "didn't deserve any of it".

On Wednesday, the jury heard from Dr Philip Lumb, a forensic pathologist, who said Mr Payne died due to a fatal blow to the head.

Dr Lumb said a CT scan on Mr Payne's head showed he had suffered a bleed to the brain, shifting of the brain in the skull and damage to the top vertebrae of his spine.

Dr Lumb also said Mr Payne suffered a skull fracture which was "typical of a backwards fall on a hard, unyielding surface".

He said: "The impact on the back of the head could account for the fatal injury."

On the first day of the trial, which started on Monday, Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said it was "very likely" the initial punch "was the fatal blow".

During a visit to Mr Payne's on the morning of October 15, Kennedy, Mr Payne and some others became very drunk.

Kennedy and Mr Payne became engaged in an argument that spilled out of the property and onto the street as Mr Payne tried to get Kennedy to leave.

Kennedy knocked Mr Payne to the ground and then punched his unconscious body several times.

Two witnesses who gave evidence on Tuesday, Shaunnagh Roberts and Megan Taylor, said Kennedy tried to stamp on an unconscious Mr Payne after the punches were landed but he was stopped by Ms Roberts.

Mr Payne, who Kennedy referred to as 'Uncle Bob', was a landscape gardener and lived with his partner at the time of his death.

The prosecution and defence are expected to finish their arguments tomorrow morning before the jury is sent out to deliberate.