Doorman claims self-defence in Hookes death

A doorman charged with killing prominent Australian cricket coach David Hookes outside a Melbourne pub claimed in court on Monday that he had acted in self-defence.

Zdravko Micevic, 23, went on trial charged with manslaughter and assault over the January 2004 incident outside the pub in Melbourne's Saint Kilda neighbourhood. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Hookes, 48, a former Test batsman and coach of the Victoria state team at the time, died of head injuries a day after being punched outside the pub, where members of the Victoria team were celebrating a victory.

Defence lawyers told the jury on Monday that Hookes and his friends acted aggressively when told to leave the pub at closing time and that the coach was forcibly ejected from the building by security guards. The prosecution alleges Hookes then walked away from the pub and had his hands by his sides when he was assaulted, causing him to hit his head on the road.

But Micevic's lawyer said Monday that his client, a former amateur boxer, had acted in self-defence after Hookes punched him twice.

Monday's session before the Victoria state Supreme Court was taken up with opening arguments. The first witness will give evidence on Tuesday.