A MAN who lashed out and kicked a man who later died started the fracas because the victim had smoked his drugs, a court heard.

Gary Bassett, 51, died in hospital after suffering a severe head injury in an alleyway behind Debenhams, in Basildon, in July last year.

Lloyd Deacon, 27, of Parson’s Field, Dedham, denies murdering Mr Bassett.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Deacon had handed Bassett £20 to pay for drugs earlier in the day but when Deacon arrived in the alleyway, Mr Bassett told him he had no drugs and handed him a small bag of powder.

Nneka Akudolu, defending, made the claim while cross-examining Melanie Williams, the ex-girlfriend of Mr Bassett who had spent the day with him.

Miss Williams previously told the court Deacon had requested to take some of the pair’s drugs but insisted no money changed hands.

Mrs Akudolu said: “I’m going to suggest to you that Mr Deacon asked Gary if he could get some drugs and provided Gary with £20 for three rocks of cocaine.

“Gary told him to come back in 15 minutes because he knew he would have got drugs from them.

"Mr Bassett, in your presence, told Mr Deacon to come back in 15 minutes because he knew that this chap was coming.

"This chap was already on his way.

“Mr Bassett then started smoking the drugs purchased with Mr Deacon’s money.

“Mr Bassett threw a small bag of powder at him and he said it was not what he paid for.

“It actually got a bit heated and Gary pushed him and Mr Deacon pushed him back.

"You took the opportunity to rummage through your bag and get that pen. Gary punched him.”

Miss Williams disputed the claims made by Mrs Akudolu.

After Deacon left the alleyway, Miss Williams desperately tried to revive the unresponsive Mr Bassett and dialled 999 but he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Mr Bassett regained a pulse thanks to the work of paramedics and air ambulance staff, but died in hospital in the early hours of July 31.

n The trial continues.