A MAN was pushed to his death down a flight of stairs by his best friend, a court heard.

Paul Howkins died in hospital two days after suffering serious head injuries in the incident at a party, Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Anthony Bebbington, 24, denies manslaughter.

Peter Coombe, prosecuting, said the 25-year-old victim had been at a party hosted by Bebbington and his girlfriend at their first-floor flat in Ruscote Arcade, Longelandes Way, Banbury, on March 8.

He said: “At just after 11pm, Paul left the flat. Anthony Bebbington followed him out and shouted at him while the two were on the (external) landing area.

“Shortly afterwards, the defendant went back into the flat.”

Mr Coombe said fellow partygoer Zara Jeacock then came out and “found Paul Howkins unconscious on the halfway landing”.

He added: “The prosecution say the defendant deliberately pushed Mr Howkins.”

Mr Coombe told jurors Bebbington’s girlfriend Rebecca Powell and his brother, Simon, would tell them during the trial they heard the defendant admit to pushing Mr Howkins down the stairs.

The trial continues.