A 44-year-old Cookley man headbutted a man weighing over 20 stones in a Worcester city centre pub because he felt threatened, a court has been told.

Sean Tristram, of Gaymore Road has denied a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm and claims he was acting in self defence.

Stuart Clarkson, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court the victim, Nicholas Jolly, was "a big man" standing at six feet two inches and weighing over 20 stones.

He had gone for a drink in Lloyds Bar One in Broad Street at about 9.30pm on Saturday, October 27 last year and was on his way out of the pub when he was attacked.

He said Tristram was standing near the gaming machines and as Mr Jolly approached he began to look aggressive and said "we'll sort this out here or outside."

He then headbutted Mr Jolly, knocking him to the floor and stood over him and punched him two or three times causing cuts and bruising to his face.

Tristram told police he was acting in self defence. He said he had hit Mr Jolly to stop him rising to his feet because while he was on the floor, he had said "I'm going to kill you when I get up."

Mr Clarkson said it was not self defence but just "loutish, aggressive behaviour all too typical in a pub late at night".

Mr Jolly told the jury he was just leaving the pub when he saw Tristram standing next to a pillar.

He said he had sensed there was going to be trouble when Tristram began to "make himself look bigger" as he approached.

He denied a suggestion by Jonathan Barker, defending, that he had deliberately barged into Tristram with his stomach because he was in the way.

The trial continues.