A “devastated” pub landlord accused of killing a friend with a single blow told jurors the pair had been indulging in “horseplay” before a wedding reception.

John Harrington told Luton Crown Court he thought Terry Hutchinson was “messing about” when he fell at West Herts Golf Club on May 27.

Mr Hutchinson, who had returned to Watford from Thailand to visit friends, sustained a traumatic brain injury and died three days later.

The pair had been drinking at Mr Harrington’s pub, The Bull in Redbourn, before a wedding reception at the golf club.

Mr Harrington told jurors: “I thought Terry was messing about.

“He had fallen on the floor on many occasions - either pushing, shoving, slipping or tripping.”

Mr Harrington told the court they had been "laughing and joking" on the way to the golf club and Mr Hutchinson had kicked him, poked him in the ear and slapped his head during the "banter".

The defendant, who denies manslaughter, told the jury: "I think I slapped him. Terry was a friend - I wouldn't have punched him.”

John Harrington said he had been a publican for 25 years. He has sold the Bull and now runs a pub in Watford.

He said he first met Terry Hutchinson when he was a steward at West Watford Conservative club. They played snooker together and Mr Hutchinson taught him to play golf.

Mr Harrington said: "We have been very good friends. Terry was a very close friend of mine. He had a very unique nature.

"Nine times out of ten he would be winding me up. He would put his finger in his drink and then put it in your ears to make you spill your drink. He thought that was funny.

“I used to do it back to him to get my own back. There was no animosity. It was just us behaving as children," he said.

When asked if it would ever lead to hostility, he replied: "Never. No."

Mr Harrington said he was "elated" to see Terry Hutchinson when he came back from Thailand.

They drank in the Bull, where the jury was told the defendant had downed 10 pints of lager and four Bacardi and cokes.

Mr Hutchinson had been drinking in the Red Lion in Bushey earlier that day before he was driven to the defendant’s pub at about 5pm.

Opening the case, prosecutor Robert O'Sullivan QC said: "Mr Harrington did not intend to kill Terry Hutchinson. He is charged with manslaughter.

“The prosecution say he deliberately and unlawfully assaulted Mr Hutchinson and that assault was a significant cause of his death.”

The jury of eight men and four women have been told that Pathologist Dr Nat Carey found that the victim suffered a fracture to his nose consistent with a severe impact such as a full fist blow.

Mr Harrington, of High Street in Redbourn, denies manslaughter.

The trial continues.