Matthew Bion Billericay: 'Man beat his chest before hitting victim'

Dennie Griffiths and Jade Chambers are standing trial in connection with the death of Matthew Bion outside Reids bar in Billericay.

Mr Bion 31, from Wickford, died of injuries sustained on August 18, 2019 following an altercation outside the bar in Laindon Road at 1.15am.

Griffiths, 27, of Hermitage Drive, Laindon, denies one count of manslaughter, while Chambers, 24, also of Hermitage Drive, denies assisting an offender.

Opening the case at Basildon Crown Court yesterday, Cyrus Shroff said Mr Bion was knocked out with one punch from Griffiths.

An initial punch missed, before a second saw the victim “fall like a skittle”.

He said: “A witness described how Dennie Griffiths swung a punch at Mr Bion and another said he swung a second and Mr Bion then fell to the floor and backwards like someone in a boxing ring.

“She said Mr Bion did not attempt to break his fall and she could see blood coming from the back of his head.

“Dennie Griffiths then left.

“Another witness saw girls fighting and then saw Dennie Griffiths hit Mr Bion and described him as falling like a skittle, she then called the ambulance and gave Mr Bion first aid.

“Another woman said she saw Griffiths run from the other side of the road to Mr Bion and hit him in the face and knock him out, she also said Griffiths was dancing around before and beating his chest.”

The court heard how Chambers denied knowing Griffiths to police at the scene but sent him messages to help him avoid being arrested.

After arrest, Griffiths told police he acted in self-defence as he feared he was going to be “attacked and pushed a man to get away”.

Speaking to the jury, Mr Shroff added: “Mr Bion did not regain consciousness after the incident and was taken to Queens Hospital in Romford and put on life support measures.

“He deteriorated and a post mortem found he died of severe traumatic brain injuries from the incident.”

The court also heard how Mr Bion died on August 27.

The trial continues.