A man having birthday drinks with a friend in the centre of Carlisle was attacked and “stamped” on, a jury has been told.

Jordan Mark Dixon, 25, has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court after he pleaded not guilty to an allegation that he wounded Rodney Lowden with intent as part of a joint enterprise. He also denies an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

On day one of the trial, jurors heard that Mr Lowden went out in Carlisle with his friend, Craig McKay. The pair each had six pints and decided to end their night at the Cumberland Inn on Botchergate.

There were no problems inside the pub but trouble flared as the pair left the premises intending to go home.

Mr Lowden told the jury: “We stepped outside. My friend went out first. It was then he got jumped.”

Confronted by several men his friend was struck.

Mr Lowden added: “Some lad punched me right in the face. I was knocked out. I woke up in hospital.”

Mr Lowden needed eight stitches to a “hole” above his eye. A photograph of this wound was deemed so graphic that Judge Peter Davies spared jurors from seeing it.

Mr Lowden underwent a head X-ray and suffered bruises to his head and shoulder.

Mr McKay gave evidence about a night when he was celebrating his friend’s birthday. He confirmed he was assaulted first and knocked to the ground.

“I came around. I saw Rodney on the other side of the road in a doorway,” said Mr McKay. “I saw him getting [his face] stamped on.”

“By whom?” asked prosecutor Gerard Rogerson.

“The defendant,” replied Mr McKay.

Evidence was also given by Ronald Matthews, an off-duty police officer who had just left the nearby cinema with his wife. Mr Matthews confirmed he saw a man “stamp” on another male as he lay on the ground.

Dixon, of Siddick Road, Siddick, Workington, denies the two allegations.

But, opening the case to jurors, Mr Rogerson alleged: “Mr Dixon did stamp on Mr Lowden’s head. He had Mr Lowden’s blood on his trainers. This was a deliberate attempt to do him really serious bodily harm.

"It was not and nor could it be self-defence. He [Mr Lowden] was lying on the ground. He was not posing a threat.”

The trial continues.