A father is alleged to have beaten a 60-year-old man unconscious, believing he supplied his daughter with cigarettes.

Christopher Howlett, 37, of Cherwell Road, Berinsfield, is accused of the vicious attack on Clive Stokes as he celebrated his 60th birthday party in his home.

Mr Stokes was left with cuts, bruises, a fractured cheek bone and problems with his eyesight.

Howlett denied a charge of GBH yesterday as his trial began at Oxford Crown Court.

Paul Mitchell, prosecuting, said Mr Stokes was celebrating his birthday in his Berinsfield home on December 6, 2003, when there was a knock at the door.

He said: "Mr Stokes opened it and was knocked to the floor, punched kicked and stamped on."

He said the victim had met his attacker the day before and had picked him out in an identity parade.

It was claimed that Howlett said during the attack: "This is for giving my daughter cigarettes."

During police questioning, Howlett said he had visited Mr Stokes the night before to speak to him about claims he had been supplying cigarettes, but he had not returned the next evening.

The case continues on Monday.