Bristol student Joe Dymond-Williams died after he was punched unconscious before having his head kicked "like a football" when he intervened in row, a court heard.

Bristol Crown Court heard Joe, 17, from Whitchurch, was out with friends in the city centre and stepped in when his friend had a heated exchange with a girl.

A jury has been told that, as he did so, Jack Sanderson-Hunt punched him to the ground – where he lay unconscious as Thomas Swift kicked him to the right temple.

Though there were valiant attempts at Frenchay Hospital to save his life Joe lapsed into a coma and died as a result of head injuries two weeks later.

Sanderson-Hunt, 18, of Dundry View, Bristol, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

His friend Swift, 18, of Ellfield Close, Highridge, Bristol, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder.

Michael Fitton QC, prosecuting, told the court that on Saturday, June 21 last year Joe went out with his friends Jack Pullin and Pedram Motallebzadeh.

He said that Mr Pullin had been going out with Sophie White, and on that night she was out with her friend Vicky Godfrey.

Mr Fitton said that when Miss White and Godfrey were in the Chicago's venue in Canons Road they bumped into Sanderson-Hunt and Swift, who Miss Godfrey knew, and the four chatted before going to QC Bar in Queen Charlotte Street.

Mr Fitton said: "When Jack Pullin arrived and saw Sophie White there, the couple argued.

"After the argument Jack, Pedram and Joe left QC Bar to go elsewhere. Jack and Sophie had argued and they were exchanging rude telephone calls and text messages.

"After a while Jack, Pedram and Joe came back to QC Bar and Jack went up to Sophie and they argued."

The jury heard Miss White was "drunk, angry and aggressive" towards Jack Pullin, swinging her arms and trying to punch him.

Mr Fitton said: "Joe Dymond-Williams took it upon himself to step between them, to intervene.

"Sophie was being aggressive and he took hold of Sophie to restrain her. It's at this stage that Jack Sanderson-Hunt and Thomas Swift became involved."

The jury heard that witness accounts varied as to what happened.

The crown says the essence was that Sanderson-Hunt punched Joe hard in the face and he fell straight back, knocking the back of his skull.

As he lay face up it is claimed Swift ran at him and kicked him to the right side of his head.

Witness Nicola Grant told police she saw one man punch Joe before another kicked his head "like someone would kick a football".

The court heard that after the assault bystanders tried to prevent the attackers from leaving the scene – but when Thomas was grabbed Sanderson-Hunt helped him and they both fled.

Sanderson-Hunt was chased to Peros Bridge on the waterfront, rang his father and got into his Mercedes car.

Swift was chased to Princess Street, Mr Fitton said, but when his pursuers grabbed him Sanderson-Hunt arrived with his father and, once again, helped Swift to get away.

Police then arrived and arrested Sanderson-Hunt, and he then helped them contact Swift, who was arrested from College Green.

In the meantime Joe was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary and then on to Frenchay, where he remained in a coma before he died on July 8.

He suffered a 10cm long fracture to the back of his skull, attributed to his fall, and a 3.5cm long fracture to the right side of his skill, attributed to being kicked there.

At first Swift gave a false name told police he hadn't assaulted anyone, but went on to give his proper name and said he kicked Joe to see if he was conscious.

The case continues at Bristol Crown Court.