AN ANZ bank staffer who ­allegedly stomped a man to death in a sickening attack outside a McDonald’s restaurant had spent the night at home playing a basketball game on his PlayStation.

The Herald Sun has been told Kyle Zandipour, 27, may have consumed as few as four stubbies when he and his gaming mate headed down the road for a late-night snack.

Mr Zandipour was charged yesterday with the murder of 21-year-old Joshua Hardy, of Parkville.

Mr Hardy was allegedly flung to the ground and stomped on after getting into an argument with Mr Zandipour and his friend on St Kilda Rd just after midnight on ­Saturday morning.

The Herald Sun has been told the fight began when an intoxicated Mr Hardy tripped Mr Zandipour’s friend, who ­retaliated with a push.

Police allege Mr Zandipour then ­intervened with deadly force.

Mr Hardy’s death has shocked the community, with strangers travelling to the scene yesterday to leave flowers.

The Melbourne University student, who originates from Darwin, has been remembered as a generous and bright person, who was a talented footballer and role model in the university’s indigenous ­com­munity. His family yesterday gathered at the home of his distraught parents, Milly and David, in Darwin.

From Darwin, Joshua’s distraught father David made an open address to all families, urging every child and parent to “tell each other that you love them”.

“It’s a senseless act of violence that has cut short a very special young man’s life,” he told Channel 9.

FAMILY REELS AT BRUTAL DEATH OF UNI STUDENT

A source close to the alleged killer told the Herald Sun Mr Zandipour had also lived a relatively trouble-free life.

“It’s just a tragedy for all involved,’’ he said. “It’s two sets of people in the wrong place at the wrong time.’’

Mr Zandipour, who migrated with his family from ­England to Australia as a child, is employed by the ANZ as a call centre worker for a small business banking team and is studying for an accounting ­degree part-time.

His lawyer had told the court Mr Zandipour was an investment banker.

Mr Zandipour appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday and did not apply for bail.

His lawyer, George Defteros, told the court his client had come forward to homicide squad detectives on Saturday evening and had given a lengthy record of interview.

Mr Zandipour was supported in court by his mother and girlfriend.

He will return to court for a filing hearing on Friday.

Homicide detective Sen-Constable Julio Salerno told an earlier out-of-sessions hearing the pair bought meals and sat outside the outlet about 12.15pm.

They were joined by Mr Hardy, who Sen-Constable Salerno told the court had “staggered” to the table in an “apparently inebriated” state and sat down with Mr Zandipour and his friend.

Sen-Det Salerno said Mr Hardy appeared “a bit lost” and had a conversation with the two men.

When the men got up to leave about 1.15am, Mr Hardy appeared to try to trip Mr Zandipour over with his foot, the detective said.

Sen-Det Salerno said a fight broke out between Mr Hardy and Mr Zandipour, during which the latter “used his arm to hook the deceased under his armpits and flip him” upside down.

When Mr Hardy landed on the concrete, Mr Zandipour allegedly kicked him several times and stomped on his head.

Mr Hardy was taken to The Alfred hospital but pronounced dead at 2.05am.

A post-mortem on Mr Hardy determined he had died as a result of head injuries sustained as the result of being assaulted.

Robert Gereige, who runs Cafe Rosco two doors down from where the incident happened, said: “You do get a few drunk people by the McDonald’s and you do get a few scuffles. But usually as an area it is pretty safe.

“It’s pretty disturbing.”

Mr Zandipour will reappear in court for a filing hearing on Friday.

wayne.flower@news.com.au