A Prestwich man said he felt he was ‘in danger’ before punching a man who later died during a night out in Bury, a court has heard.

Brook Marshall-Byrne, 20, admitted punching 35-year-old Piotr Ludwiczak outside a bar on Silver Street in July last year, but denies manslaughter on the grounds that he was acting in self-defence.

Marshall-Byrne is also on trial at Manchester Crown Court accused of affray and the assault of a 17-year-old boy who he also admitted he punched twice.

While giving evidence on day three of the trial, Marshall-Bryne, of Prestwich Hills, told the court the teenager had been “looking for a fight” and added that the 17-year-old told him, “I’m going to snap you like a twig.”

READ MORE: Bury: Man killed after night out 'not looking for trouble'

During cross examination by defence barrister, Paul Treble, Marshall-Byrne said he had initially attempted to diffuse tension ‘growing trouble’ between groups of bargoers in the early hours of July 8, and said he had told the teenager to “calm down.”

He continued: “What I thought he was going to do is hit me or my friends. He was moving aggressively towards me and my friends.

“I knew straight away he wasn’t taking on what I was saying.”

He said the teenager had been “looking for a fight.”

“He wanted a fight,” he added.

Mr Treble also questioned Marshall-Byrne on why he had also punched Mr Ludwiczak, whom he did not know prior to that evening. The trial heard Mr Ludwiczak had grabbed him in a "bear hug" in an apparent attempt to restrain him.  

Bury Times: The scene on Silver Street in July last yearThe scene on Silver Street in July last year (Image: NQ)

Marshall-Byrne continued: "I knew I was in danger"

“As soon as I got put in the bear hug I didn’t know what was happening.

“We fell to the floor and as we got back up he tried to grab me again and I hit him, I didn’t want any damage to me.”

“I didn’t know who was against me and who was with me, I didn’t know what was going on and who was going to fight me.”

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When asked by Mr Treble how he felt after being told that Mr Ludwiczak had died in hospital that evening, Marshall-Byrne said: “It is a feeling I’ve got to live with for the rest of my life.”

A jury had previously heard that Mr Ludwiczak had been on a night out with his friend, and had been drinking in several bars on Silver Street. Witnesses described Mr Ludwiczak as “friendly, and not looking for trouble.”

He had lived in Bury with his partner and had a young son.

The trial continues.