A MAN killed his next- door neighbour with one punch, a court heard.

Mark Breen is alleged to have ripped an artery in Mark Monahan’s neck, causing a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Monahan, 45, collapsed unconscious immediately. He was taken to the city’s Royal Liverpool University Hospital, but died in intensive care the next day.

Breen, 37, of Melrose Road, denies manslaughter.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he admits striking Mr Monahan on November 24 last year, but claims he was acting in self-defence when he lashed out. In interview, he told the police he believed Mr Monahan was a former "prize-winning boxer" and feared being beaten.

But John Benson, QC, defending, told the jury of seven men and five women: "A man does not act in self-defence, if he is acting in temper.

"There was no need to resort to violence, let alone assault Mr Monahan, and the defendant did not believe he had to use force to defend himself.

"Quite simply, we say the defendant lost his self-control and struck Mr Monahan in anger."

Mr Benson said Mr Monahan had moved into Melrose Road about six months earlier after coming out of a coma following a serious head injury. But the court heard. Mr Monahan and next-door neighbour Breen "hadn’t enjoyed the most friendly of relationships".

There were often argu- ments between Mr Monahan, his housemate Stephen Essery and Breen.