A JURY was yesterday set to consider its verdict in the case of two Basingstoke men who face serious assault charges after a good samaritan suffered a fractured skull when he intervened in a fight.

Stephen Hale, 30, of Montserrat Road, Popley, and Timothy Winter, 33, of Borodin Close, Brighton Hill, both deny causing grievous bodily harm to Daniel West in Basingstoke town centre shortly after midnight on February 18 last year and an alternative charge of affray. Hale also denies a charge of instructing James Minton to provide the police with a false account of his movements.

The trial heard Mr West stepped in to help Duncan Shorthouse who he saw being beaten up by a group of men in the town centre. The prosecution alleges Mr West was felled by the defendants, who up until that point were not involved.

Ian Henry, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court how Mr West was struck with "sickening force" and fell backwards onto a metal cabinet on the pavement. He was then struck with a bottle on the face and head.

He suffered a fractured skull, a laceration to the back of his head, an injury to his lip, a broken tooth and bruising to the brain.

Mr Henry alleged that after the incident, Hale phoned a friend, James Minton, who he said drove Hale and Winter back to his house. Mr Minton has said he initially gave the police a false statement because Hale had told him to do so as he was in fear of him.

Ian Lawrie, defending Hale, told the jury his client had helped Mr Shorthouse to his feet and then taken him around the corner near to The Winton pub, away from the incident.

Bruce Maddick, defending Winter, said his client had walked home that night with a friend after spending the day celebrating his birthday. The court was told Winter saw Hale help Mr Shorthouse to his feet, asked him if he was okay, and then left the town centre.

The case continues.