An elderly motorist died of heart failure minutes after he was punched by a 28-year-old pedestrian annoyed at his driving, a court heard today.

Lewes Crown Court heard how Mark Heightley assaulted 75-year-old George Osborne during a row on May 5 in Hollingdean, Brighton.

Mr Osborne, of nearby Bursted Close, then got back into his red Ford Fiesta and drove off, only to crash moments later.

Unemployed Heightley, of The Crestway, Hollingdean, denies manslaughter and causing actual bodily harm.

Michael Austin-Smith QC, prosecuting, said Heightley had been seen with another man and small child walking along Hollingbury Place before the incident at about 6.15pm.

According to one witness, Heightley jumped in the road and banged on the bonnet of Mr Osborne's car several times.

A number of people described the altercation which followed, although it is unclear who started it, the court heard.

Mr Austin-Smith said: "It may be that this 75-year-old made a swing for this defendant, but whatever the circumstances that created the altercation between them, the prosecution say nothing justified the conduct of the defendant.

"He became enraged and he set about that 75-year-old man, punching him, pushing him, eventually forcing him back into his car.

"You would think a 75-year-old would not stand a chance against a young, fit man such as this defendant."

Mr Osborne was left in a state of shock and bleeding from his left ear, but told concerned onlookers he was OK before driving off.

But his vehicle headed straight through a road junction and crashed. He was pronounced dead about an hour later in hospital.

Mr Austin-Smith said a crowd gathered at the crash scene which included Heightley, who told somebody he knew: "I have just beaten up the bloke in that car."

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Osborne suffered some injuries in the crash and bruising and swelling on his left ear, consistent with being punched.

He had long-standing coronary heart disease which was the cause of death, the court was told.

After his arrest the next day, Heightley told police in a statement he had gone to the parade of shops with a friend and his daughter and remonstrated with Mr Osborne about his driving.

He claimed Mr Osborne had punched him in the face and that he had acted in self-defence.

The case continues.