A builder told a court how a fleeing man was knocked to the ground by a flying drop-kick before he was repeatedly kicked and stamped on.

Matthew Heading, 41, was found dead in his hostel bedroom two days after the attack, a jury heard.

Witness Andrew Woodcock was driving past hostel Glenwood Lodge in Grand Parade, Brighton, on June 21, last year when he saw a group of men and a commotion.

One man was hurrying towards the seafront. He told Hove Crown Court: "He was trying to get away. I saw a flash as someone hurtled past and drop-kicked the first man in the back, like in wrestling.

"The chap who had been kicked arched backwards and then slid forwards along the pavement.

"There was another flash as another man ran past me and started kicking the man on the ground.

"There were 20 forceful kicks meant to cause as much pain as possible.

"The first man ran up and put his hand on the shoulder of the second man to get leverage.

"He jumped up in the air and landed on the head of the man on the floor with both feet while the second man was still kicking him."

Mr Woodcock said he shouted at them to leave Mr Heading alone and one walked away.

He said the first attacker continued to kick Mr Heading across the road towards him. Mr Woodcock shouted and "he looked at me, stopped kicking him and then jumped up in the air and landed on his head."

Mr Heading was taken to hospital but died two days later.

Adam Todd, 25, of Ropetackle Walk, Shoreham, Joe Budgen, 19, of Ann Street, Brighton, Martin Keating, 28, of Taunton Road, Brighton, Paul Hamlet, 32, of Falcoln Court, Whitehawk, Brighton, and Oliver McNulty, 18, of New England Street, Brighton, all deny murder.

They also deny causing actual bodily harm to Joe Burton.

The trial continues.