A man told police at the scene of a murder that he knew something about the killing, a court heard.

Donal Innes told officers two men had told him they had attacked Terry Hannaby. Mr Hannaby's body was found under a blood-stained duvet in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, on September 4 last year. Mr Hannaby, 34, a homeless alcoholic, died after he was allegedly attacked in the early hours by four street drinkers. Andy Stanley, 40, Tony Griffiths, 33, Gary Russell, 25, and Declan Mallon, 38, all of no fixed address, deny murder.

Mr Innes, also a street drinker, spoke to PC James Bowes at the scene of the murder.

PC Bowes said: "Donal Innes said he had heard three people gloating about how they had beaten up Terry. He said Tony had started on Terry and Andy was boasting about stamping on Terry's head and saying he had blood on his trainers."

Sergeant Samantha Burke said Innes turned up at Brighton police station at 3.30am the next day.

At Hove Crown Court yesterday she said he was nervous but wanted to talk to someone about what had happened.

He told her he had been to the room of Caroline Bambrick, Stanley's girlfriend, at a hostel in New Steine Mews. He said Stanley and Griffiths were there and appeared to be bragging about what had happened.

Innes told Sgt Burke: "I heard Tony say he had flipped out and punched this geezer. Andy said Tony is sick - he is out his nut - but he had to join in. He said Declan joined in and gave the kid a kicking. Tony kept laughing as if it was a game."

The trial continues.