The jury in the case of three teenagers accused of killing a man heard how a fight started after a female defendant called the deceased a “batty” man.

The Old Bailey heard how Ruby Thomas, 18, who used to live in Crystal Palace, had been sitting on a wall in Trafalgar Square with her co-defendants, Rachel Burke, 18, formerly of Upper Norwood and Joel Alexander, 19 of Thornton Heath,.

As Ian Baynham from Beckenham, walked past holding hands with his friend Phillip Brown, it is alleged she shouted "f*****g faggots" at them, and called them “batty men” - Jamaican slang for homosexual, after which an argument ensued in the incident on September 25.

Miss Thomas's co-defendant, Miss Burke admitted to police officers in a prepared statement it was Miss Thomas who had started the altercation, and she herself became involved only after she feared Miss Thomas would get hurt.

In her statement she told officers: “Ruby Thomas shouted at two men in a mocking way about being gay.”

Although she claims she did not attack Mr Baynham, eye witnesses claim they saw both girls kicking the 62-year-old man as he lay unconscious in the floor, bleeding from his eyes and ears.

By this time Mr Alexander, who landed the punch that knocked Mr Baynham to the ground, had already left the scene and was followed by the two girls.

Mr Brown gave chase and pulled Miss Burke to the ground by her hair. It is claimed he was then punched by Miss Thomas and threatened by Mr Alexander who admitted to police officers in interview to saying: “I'll knock you out as well.”

The three defendants then fled the scene and made their way to the South Bank where they split up and made their way to their respective homes.

Joel Alexander was pictured in a lift after changing clothes with another friend who was not involved. Miss Thomas was pictured in the same lift smiling and showing her hand to a friend.

One witness, Amy Carter, said in a statement she saw a girl stamping on Mr Baynham's face with her “full force at least four times”.

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

All three are accused manslaughter.

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

The trial continues.