A POOL player has admitted hitting a man over the head with his pool cue case, but told the jury it was self-defence.

Edmund Aldworth yesterday told Oxford Crown Court that rival player Matthew Challen “was wild, I needed to stop him” after violence erupted at Riley’s snooker club in Cowley in September.

The 46-year-old defendant denies wounding with intent and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

Aldworth, of Wheatley Road, Forest Hill, admitted hitting 24-year-old Mr Challen twice with the aluminium cue case.

But he told jurors he was protecting himself and friend Roger Goodall.

The father-of-two, who plays pool for the Blackbird pub, said Mr Challen and his friend Rhys Freemire – who both represent the Catherine Wheel at Sandford – “were abusive and aggressive almost from the moment they came into the room”.

He said he suspected both men were “high on coke” and “were insulting the level of skill in our pool team”.

Aldworth said he declined to play Mr Challen for money before telling him: “Look, mate, if you’re not in here to play pool and are only here to wind us up why don’t you **** off?”

He told jurors his group tried to leave, but Mr Challen and Mr Freemire blocked the exit and Mr Challen lunged at them. He told the court: “He hit me in the side of the head”.

Aldworth said Mr Challen began “windmilling punches” and kicking Mr Goodall. “He was kicking Roger senseless, I needed to stop that,” he said.”

The trial continues.