A 24-YEAR-OLD man was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured cheekbone after being punched in the face in a nightclub, a jury heard.

Jamie Mcanulla appeared at Oxford Crown Court today, charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on Craig Sewek in Izi, in Witney town centre, on November 23, 2008.

Tom Speers, the victim’s friend who witnessed the alleged attack, said: “Out of the corner of my eye I saw something go towards my mate, then I saw Craig falling over and ‘matey boy’ standing over him.

“Then I heard this crack as he hit the floor. He’s gone, sparko, knocked out.”

In police interviews read to jurors, the 28-year-old defendant, of Witan Way, Witney, said he was acting in self-defence after Mr Sewek blocked his way out of the club in Market Square at about 1.45am.

Mcanulla said in interview: “He put his hand around my neck area. He said something, something offensive – some swear word. I just threw my arm up and caught him under the chin.”

Jurors were shown CCTV of the incident and heard evidence from Mr Speers, a door supervisor, and a police officer.

Mcanulla told the jury he had drunk eight pints of beer and two shots leading up to the incident.

The trial continues.