A man was killed in a homophobic attack by three teenagers, who stamped and kicked him as he lay unconscious, a court heard today.

Ian Baynham, 62, from Beckenham was attacked in front of horrified onlookers in London's busy Trafalgar Square on September 25 last year.

He was rushed to the Royal London Hospital but died 18 days later on October 13.

Joel Alexander, 19, of Thornton Heath, Rachel Burke, 18, formerly of Upper Norwood, and Ruby Thomas, 18, who used to live in Crystal Palace are accused of manslaughter.

All three of the defendants are also with violent disorder. Miss Burke is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They all pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Mr Baynham was with his friend Phillip Brown, walking past the South African Embassy when, it is claimed, Miss Burke, 18, swore and shouted racist abuse at him.

Prosecuting, Brian Altman QC said: “Mr Baynham was openly homosexual.

“A physical confrontation between Ruby Thomas and Mr Baynham ensued and Mr Baynham grabbed and slapped Rachel Burke.

“Joel Alexander intervened and lunged at Mr Baynham. The blow fell Mr Baynham to the ground where, unprotected, he hit his head and ended up unconscious.”

Mr Altman then went on to describe how both Mr Alexander's co defendants, Miss Thomas and Miss Burke, stamped and kicked at Mr Baynham as he lay unconscious on the pavement.

Mr Altman said: “He suffered an accelerated fall to the ground. So heavy was the fall he suffered severe brain injury.

“There is evidence that the defendants began putting the boot into Mr Baynham. Shocked onlookers saw repeated stamping to his chest, forceful kicks to his chest.

“Mr Baynham had suffered complex fracturing to his skull.

“It was obvious Mr Baynham was in a critical condition.

“The prosecution accepts the defendants didn't mean to kill him but what they jointly did led to his death."

The trial continues.