Neil Edwards was toasting the birth of his third child

A court has heard how a man died after being punched on a night out to celebrate the birth of his third child.

Neil Edwards, 39, died in hospital nine days after being allegedly struck by Paul Humphreys, 35, from Wrexham.

Mold Crown Court heard the pair had exchanged "banter" in the Acton Park Hotel, shortly before Mr Edwards, of Wrexham, was attacked in the car park.

Mr Humphreys denies manslaughter, and assaulting Mr Edwards' brother. The trial continues.

Airbus worker Mr Edwards had a nine-year-old son, five-year-old daughter and another son who was born just 13 days before the attack.

David Potter, prosecuting, said: "Indeed the whole reason why Mr Edwards went out that night to the Acton Park Hotel was to celebrate with his friends and family that baby's arrival."

CCTV

The jury heard there had been some "friendly" banter between the defendant and his group at the bar, and the Edwards' party at a nearby table.

However, when the Edwards brothers left, the court heard the defendant followed them, and was seen on the pub's CCTV.

Mr Potter said the defendant was looking for a confrontation and Neil Edwards walked towards him, and asked in a "non-threatening way" what the problem was.

"With this, the defendant suddenly and without warning and without any provocation whatsoever, punched Mr Edwards to the face with his right hand," said Mr Potter.

"It connected and it immediately sent Mr Edwards straight back.

"He hit his head on the concrete surface of the pub car park.

"A witness who saw this happen thought that Mr Edwards was already unconscious before he hit the floor.

"There was a sickening thud and Mr Edwards suffered a fractured skull that caused massive injuries to the brain and proved fatal."

Mr Edwards never regained consciousness and died nine days later when his life support machine was turned off.

Mr Potter said that for a few moments after he struck the fatal blow, Mr Humphreys continued to be aggressive and unlawfully assaulted the deceased's brother Wayne by punching him once to the face.

The court heard how Mr Humphreys accepted punching the brothers once each but claimed he acted in self-defence.

The case continues.