Man died after blood clot went to lung, jury hears

Lucian Sorenau is charged with manslaughter, actual bodily harm and affray

A man died six weeks after an unprovoked attack as a blood clot from his injured ankle travelled and blocked an artery in his lung, a court has heard.

Hove Crown Court heard that Lucian Sorenau, 32, attacked father-of-two Anthony Barrigan in Windsor Street, Brighton, on 18 June 2022.

The 44-year-old, who told police his ankle had been "snapped", died unexpectedly weeks later from a pulmonary thromboembolism on 1 August.

Mr Sorenau denies manslaughter, actual bodily harm and affray.

The jury heard police were called to a delivery bay in central Brighton at about 22:30 BST, following reports of an assault on Mr Barrigan and his girlfriend Sarah Chollerton.

Ben Irwin for the Crown said Mr Barrigan provided a witness statement before his death.

Mr Irwin said: "He set out how he had been confronted by a complete stranger who attacked him without warning.

"He describes how he tried to fight back but couldn't."

Mr Irwin explained that Mr Barrigan felt the attacker stamp on his right ankle.

"He describes the most excruciating pain he had felt in his life," he added.

Mr Barrigan went on to collapse at home and paramedics were unable to save him.

Two years after the incident, Mr Sorenau was charged with manslaughter.

Mr Irwin told the jury Mr Barrigan died as a result of the injuries from the attack.

The court was told Mr Sorenau, who Mr Irwin said left the scene, would say he was acting in self defence.

Mr Irwin told the jury: "You will be sure Lucian Sorenau was not acting in self defence when he was punching Anthony Barrigan and Sarah Chollerton.

"And he was not acting in self defence when Anthony Barrgian was on the ground and not able to offer any aggression or threat at all."

The trial continues.

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