The fight which led to the death of a man who intervened as a peacemaker started due to a trivial row over chips being thrown in the street, a court heard. 

The trial started today of Michael Oliver, who is accused of killing David Joslin with a single punch in Old Church Road, Chingford, days before Christmas in 2009. 

He denies manslaughter. 

Southwark Crown Court was told violence flared between two groups after a row erupted over chips being thrown in the street. 

Mr Joslin was walking home alone from a work party at 1am when he stepped in to try and stop the violence, which had already resulted in one man already being knocked out. 

Prosecutors say he was then punched by Oliver, 33, of Poundfield Road, Loughton, and knocked out. 

He never regained consciousness and died a week later at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone from a severe injury to the back of his head.  

Oliver had attended a Christmas party with friends, when he left the Obeslisk bar with his brother Barry and his girlfriend Zoe Fowler. 

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow said the fight which led to Mr Joslin's death was started by Barry Oliver.

Mr Glasgow said: "Oliver, his brother and his brother's girlfriend had become embroiled in a row with another group of people in the street.    

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: David Joslin, killed after trying to break up a fight in December 2009

David Joslin died from a severe head injury after being punched to the ground 

"Barry Oliver had just purchased some food and was walking along the street.  

"As the two groups passed each other, Barry Oliver threw some chips into the air and was heard shouting out 'it's snowing chips'.  

"Michelle Humphries, who was with the other group, took offence and complained to her boyfriend, Stefan Hiscock, about what had happened.  

"Barry told them to 'shut up or f**k off' and this caused her boyfriend to confront Barry Oliver.  

"All had had too much to drink and it quickly descended into violence. 

"Stefan was punched to the face and fell to the ground unconscious. 

"Chief to this violence was the defendant who subsequently later told his friends, and I quote, 'I put a few on the floor'".    

The court heard how Mr Joslin was seen to approach Oliver with both arms out stretched and said 'can you not see how someone is hurt?'.  

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Michael Oliver denies the manslaughter of David Joslin

Mr Glasgow, continued: "Despite offering no violence and only trying to break up the fight, the defendant punched David to the face who fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement with a sickening thud. 

"Oliver then walked away with his brother and Zoe Fowler leaving an unconscious Stefan Hiscock and a stricken David Joslin to their fate." 

Oliver's clothing matched the description given by at least two witnesses of the man who had punched David.  

During a police interview, Oliver admitted he was quite drunk and said he did not know who he hit or how many blows connected.  

Mr Glasgow said he told officers: "I only acted to defend myself and surrendered myself voluntarily. 

"I felt threatened and had to protect myself."     

Despite CCTV cameras in 15 locations along the street, the fight itself was not captured, only the aftermath.  

The jury of 10 women and 2 men were taken to the crime scene in Old Church Road today. 

The trial at Southwark Crown Court is expected to last three weeks.