A doorman has described how a man was punched on the nose moments before a fatal stabbing.

Andrew Hansen was involved in a confrontation with drinker Craig Gilbert at The Crown in the Carfax, Horsham, David Rowe told Hove Crown Court.

He said he saw Hansen pick up a pool ball and throw it at Mr Gilbert with considerable force.

Mr Rowe said at that point his brother James Rowe, head doorman at the pub, intervened with Robin Gilbert, Craig's uncle.

He said: "Hansen pushed Rob Gilbert, who pushed him back. He then took a swing at Rob but missed.

"Rob took a swing back and caught Mr Hansen on the nose. He staggered back and fell against the pub's side door."

Mr Rowe said things quietened down for a short time and then Hansen walked past him, muttering, towards the main door.

He was followed down the bar by James Rowe, Robin Gilbert and landscape gardener Peter Uttley but left the pub.

David Rowe said Hansen returned a few minutes later and was involved in a confrontation with his brother and Peter Uttley.

He said: "I saw Andrew Hansen move forwards and Peter Uttley staggered backwards. Peter looked down and called out for Rob. It was clear that he had been stabbed."

Customer Amy Rogers told Hove Crown Court how she had kissed father-of-two Mr Uttley minutes before he died on July 16, last year.

She said: "I had an affection for Peter and we kissed next to the pool table."

Miss Rogers said she heard some shouting and Mr Uttley went over to see what was happening.

She said: "The next thing I remember seeing is Peter falling back on to a table.

"I knew something was wrong but I did not know then that he had been injured. I went over to where Peter was and held his head and at first he was not bleeding a lot.

"But then there was lots of blood coming from his nose and mouth and we tried to keep his airway clear."

Mr Uttley, 33, of Springfield Crescent, Horsham, stopped breathing a few minutes later.

Hove Crown Court heard he died from a single stab wound caused by a 14in kitchen knife.

Andrew Hansen, 36, of Penn Gardens, Ashington, near Pulborough, denies murder.

The trial continues.