Tragedy of soccer star's half brother

Jade Defoe, 26, also suffered a fractured skull after the hard blow knocked him unconscious and he was unable to break his fall, the Old Bailey was told.

The father-of-three, known by his middle name Gavin, was said to have been attacked in a row with acquaintance Christopher Farley in Newham, east London. Mr Defoe, a rapper, died in hospital four days after the assault in April last year, said Brian Altman QC, prosecuting.

Farley, 34, of Kingswood Road, Leytonstone, denies manslaughter.

Mr Altman said: "What led to Gavin Defoe's death started as an argument which had developed between him and the defendant, as a result of which this defendant was to punch Gavin once, hard to the left side of the face, with a clenched fist.

"The blow felled Gavin to the ground. It is highly likely that the force of that punch was such as to render him unconscious because it is perfectly clear that Gavin's fall was unprotected.

"The impact by his head on the ground was so heavy and severe that his skull fractured and he suffered severe brain injury from which he was to die."

The trial continues.