A teenager accused of beating a father-of-two to death with a baseball bat was a "bit of a nutter", a court heard.

Kyle Strange said he got the impression that William Devall was "a bit crazy" when Devall came to a party at his flat on the night of the killing.

Mr Strange, 18, added: "You could not hold a normal conversation with him.

"He would say something to you and then turn away and carry on the conversation with someone else."

Devall, 19, of Meadow Road, Hailsham, denies murdering divorcee Gary Rae but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Mr Rae, 40, died after he was allegedly attacked by Devall and five others outside his flat in High Street, Hailsham, last May.

It is alleged that Devall was jealous about his ex-girlfriend visiting Mr Rae's flat after they split up.

He is said to have egged on Jason Jackson, 18, Shane Challice, 19, and three juveniles aged 16 and 17 to take part in the attack in May last year.

Jackson of Albert Road, Polegate; Challice, of South Road, Hailsham, and two juveniles deny murder.

A 17-year-old juvenile denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The trial at Hove Crown Court continues.