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Dad's night of violence
A JURY has heard how a father-of-three had been involved in trouble in Fleetwood on the night he died from injuries sustained in a street fight .
Student Gerard Cavanagh died after getting into an argument at a Fleetwood takeaway.
University student Michael Twiss is standing trial at Preston Crown Court accused of murdering the 31-year-old.
He denies the charge.
It is alleged 20-year-old Twiss punched and kicked his victim during a fight outside La Luna on Lord Street.
Rugby player Dale Thompson, a friend of Twiss, witnessed the fight and tried to break it up.
He told the court: "I was eating my kebab, watching from the window sill and saw Gerry go for Michael, he threw a punch at Michael which connected with his chin.
"We all rushed out to stop the situation. They were grappling with each other and throwing punches at each other.
"I tried to usher Gerry away with my arm but he went back after Michael.
"I thought that I wasn't going to stop it myself so I thought 'let them fight' – which I regret now.
"They were both hitting lumps out of each other with their fists.
"Michael then caught him with a punch and he fell to the floor.
"I stepped in, grabbed Michael and said 'it's over, leave it now'.
"I told him what had happened and he should sort himself out in the morning. He said 'fair enough'."
The court heard how the argument started after Twiss locked Mr Thompson out of the takeaway as a prank.
Mr Cavanagh, of Southfleet Avenue, Fleetwood, was also shut outside.
When the defendant opened the door, Mr Cavanagh began rowing with Twiss, who attempted to placate him.
The prosecution accept Twiss began by defending himself from Mr Cavanagh's attack, but
allege he kicked the dad as he lay defenceless on the floor.
Paramedics attended the scene and worked on Mr Cavanagh, but he died before reaching hospital.
A post mortem revealed he had bleeding on the brain caused by blunt trauma.
The court heard how the victim had earlier been thrown out of The Ship Inn on Warren Street, at the orders of his landlord father.
He punched and smashed a window as he left and threw a passer-by to the ground by his neck.
Doorman Steven Leadbetter, who has hearing difficulties and had his evidence relayed by sign language experts, said he had seen Mr Cavanagh three times on the night in question – and he had been aggressive on all three occasions.
The first time was at around 11.30pm on New Year's Eve when he told Mr Leadbetter he was going to "cut his head off" although the doorman could not find out to whom Mr Cavanagh was referring.
He also relayed a story of an earlier fight where Mr Cavanagh had kicked a man's head "just like a football".
Twiss has admitted fighting with Mr Cavanagh to detectives and kicking out at him once, although he claims the blow did not connect.
(Proceeding)
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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