A man accused of murder has denied he turned into a violent drunk after too much alcohol.

Andrew Goss, 24, told a jury that alcohol made him relaxed and not aggressive.

Goss, of Monarch Close, Crawley, and Aadeel Virani, 21, of Jewel Walk, Crawley, have both denied murder at a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

They are accused of kicking to death Seph Lawrance in Goffs Park, Crawley, on the night of January 7 this year.

Mr Lawrance, 22, of Leopold Road, Crawley, worked at Costa Coffee at Gatwick Airport and belonged to an organisation dedicated to carrying out good deeds for others.

He was found dying on the footpath in Goffs Lane after being attacked.

Goss told the court he was walking through the park after spending all day drinking with Virani when he suddenly became aware that his friend was fighting with Mr Lawrance.

He said he had no idea what triggered the violence.

He said Mr Lawrance was getting the better of Virani and he stepped in to protect his friend by punching the other man twice in the face.

Goss claimed the two men did not appear to want to break up the fight so he walked away.

He said seconds later, Virani caught up with him and neither of them mentioned the violent confrontation.

Goss, who claimed to have drunk at least ten large cans of lager that day, said: "I heard shouting and arguing and Ads (Aadeel) and Seph were pushing and punching each other.

"I decided to intervene. I punched Seph to try to stop them.

"It didn't have any effect at all. So I punched him again a bit harder.

"I don't remember Seph looking at me during the whole incident."

During cross-examination, Goss denied making up a pack of lies.

He also denied Virani's claim that Goss was to blame for Mr Lawrance's fatal injuries. Virani told police Goss asked Mr Lawrance for a cigarette and when he refused, because he did not smoke, Goss chased after him.

Virani said Goss tripped up Mr Lawrance and beat and kicked him.

Goss admitted his memory of events was unclear because he had been drinking for most of the day.

He denied ever becoming aggressive when he was drunk.

He said: "I get louder with my mates. Other people might misinterpret how me and my mates muck around as serious. The more I drink the more relaxed I become."

The trial continues.