A 20-YEAR-OLD man accused of manslaughter has told a jury he threw the punch which caused the death of Ian Baynham to protect his co-defendant.

Joel Alexander and Ruby Thomas, aged 18, are accused of killing 62-year-old Mr Baynham, who lived in Gresham Road, Beckenham, on September 25 last year in Trafalgar Square.

Mr Baynham suffered a fractured skull and brain damage as a result of his head hitting the pavement after he was knocked unconscious by a punch to the jaw from Alexander.

Giving evidence to the Old Bailey this afternoon, Alexander told the jury Thomas and Mr Baynham confronted each other after she shouted a homophobic insult at him.

He told the court: “Mr Baynham threw his right arm and right foot at Ruby in the same motion. His foot hit her on the shin but I did not see his arm hit her.”

He added: “I was already moving towards the situation so when I saw Mr Baynham throw his arm and foot at Ruby I lunged at him and threw my right arm into the left side of his face.”

Kerim Fuad QC, representing Alexander, asked him why he had punched Mr Baynham.

Alexander said: “To protect Ruby. I thought she was going to get hit.”

He added: “After I saw him (Mr Baynham) throw the first punch, I thought he might throw another and might hit her.”

Mr Fuad asked Alexander why he did not try to pull Mr Baynham away from Thomas instead of punching him.

“After I saw Mr Baynham throw the punch I did not want to put myself in harm's way,” he replied.

He added: “I did not know if he was going to turn around and punch me.”

Alexander also told the court he had never punched anyone before and hit Mr Baynham with the aim of shocking him so he could then pull Thomas away to safety.

He told the jury the force of his punch was “moderate” and that he did not mean to cause Mr Baynham any serious injury.

Mr Baynham died in Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on October 13 last year as a result of his injuries.

As well as standing accused of manslaughter Alexander, of Talbot Road in Thornton Heath, and Thomas, formerly of Crystal Palace and now living in Lichfield, are also accused of affray and both deny all charges.

The trial continues.