Traffic was forced to stop as a man was attacked in the street, a court heard.

Matthew Heading was allegedly kicked so hard his body moved across the road during the incident.

Traffic in Grand Parade, Brighton, stopped as the attack continued.

Mr Heading, 41, died from from a ruptured spleen two days after the attack outside a hostel for the homeless.

Louise Taylor was driving past Glenwood Lodge when she saw Mr Heading lying in the road with another man kicking him.

She told police: "I saw him kick the man two or three times very hard with his right leg.

"I could see his whole body going for it, like he was trying to kick him up the road. It was like kicking a football.

"It was like a proper free kick, like when David Beckham kicks it into the back of the net."

Miss Taylor gave a statement to the police shortly after the attack on June 21 last year.

Her account was read to the jury at Hove Crown Court yesterday (tue) because she is now travelling in Australia for a year.

The court was told that her evidence was not accepted by all defence barristers who were unable to question her about it because she is in Australia.

Miss Taylor said three other men appeared to be watching the attack and were standing nearby laughing.

She added: "The man who did the kicking joined them and then they just walked away as if nothing was wrong.

"It was definitely not a fight, it was a violent kicking and very one-sided.

"The man on the ground was not able to fight back even if he had wanted to."

Christine Laing, QC, prosecuting, alleges that five men either took part in the attack or encouraged the others to do so.

David Collett told the jury on Monday how one of the attackers had allegedly stood gloating over Mr Harding before stamping on his head.

Mr Heading's friend Joe Burton was also allegedly punched during the attack outside the hostel for homeless drink and drug addicts.

Adam Todd, 25, of Ropetackle Walk, Shoreham, Joe Budgen, 19, of Ann Street, Brighton, Martin Keeting,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 Mr Burton.

The trial continues.