AN Oxford University maths lecturer yesterday told how he was trying only to restrain his “manic, paranoid and delusional” friend of 30 years when he collapsed and died.

Devinderjit Singh Sivia said he feared for his life when astrophysicist Dr Steven Rawlings, 50, attacked him at his Southmoor home on January 11.

Dr Sivia was arrested on suspicion of murder that night but no charges were brought.

Prof Rawlings had symptoms similar to an acute psychotic episode that had seen him sectioned the previous April, Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter heard yesterday. Mr Salter said this followed an “increase in workload and stress levels” and Dr Sivia “acted in all times in self-defence and out of fear”.

Dr Sivia was contacted by university staff over concerns about Prof Rawlings’ welfare on the day of the fatal incident and offered to put him up at his Southmoor home.

But Dr Sivia said Prof Rawlings – who he met while both students at Cambridge – appeared to think he “had brought him home for sex”.

That evening, Prof Rawlings twice said “I’m going to kill you” and “suddenly he swung around without warning and punched me in the face”, he said.

Dr Sivia said the Post Office Lane, Letcombe Regis, resident was “screaming you’re going to die” and “die, die, die” during the struggle.

He said: “I repeatedly pleaded with him to stop, to come back to reality and to remember that I was his friend.”

Dr Sivia had him in a headlock when Prof Rawlings “suddenly” went limp. He added: “I had not expected this at all. The thought did go through my mind ‘is he dead?’ Then I thought ‘is it a ploy?’ “At the time that worried me more than the possibility he was dead.”

After calling neighbours he said he emailed Prof Rawlings’ wife Linda – who was out of the country on business – to say: “I’m really sorry but I’ve killed Steve.”

Mrs Rawlings said her husband – who she met aged 16 – was a “very gentle person” who cared passionately about his work.

But after leaving on her trip she became “more and more concerned” after speaking to him.

She said: “He was not his usual self. He was excited, excitable and there were some random thoughts coming out.”

She said she found the email from Dr Sivia – who did not have her number – hard to believe but “neither of them were practical jokers”.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Salter said: “In order to stop the attack and defend himself, the friend physically restrained Professor Rawlings in a headlock on the floor that subsequently led to a cardiac arrest and Professor Rawlings’ death.”

In a statement, Dr Sivia said: “The delusion and paranoia associated with his illness got the better of him and my attempt to help Steve in his relapse came to a nightmarish end.”

He said he was “overwhelmed” by support, including Prof Rawlings’ family.