A Shropshire company boss left a steel industry rival lying on the pavement covered in blood following a drink-fuelled punch-up outside a top London hotel, a court heard.  

Craig Barnshaw and Brian Green took off their tuxedos and squared up to each other in the street, Southwark Crown Court was told. Powerfully-built six-footer Barnshaw gave Mr Green “a good hiding”, said prosecutors.

Pictured: Craig Barnshaw pictured during a charity bike-ride last year 

He then headed off to Stringfellows nightclub with friends, said Mr Gino Connor, prosecuting. 

Barnshaw, 36, of Grooms Lane, Kemberton, near Shifnal, managing director of Barnshaw Section Benders, denies assault causing actual bodily harm on March 7.

The court heard Mr Green, 53, a sales executive for the Tipton-based Angle Ring company, used to work for Barnshaw’s firm in Tividale, near Oldbury, but now regarded it as a rival.

They had travelled to London for a steel industry meeting and black tie dinner at The Savoy.

Mr Connor said the first sign of bad blood came later that evening at the nearby Strand Palace Hotel where both men were staying.

“It may well be that Mr Green, having consumed alcohol, was a little over the top in what he was saying about Mr Barnshaw’s company.”

The two men went outside, took off their tuxedos and squared up to each other, he said.

Mr Connor said evidence suggested Mr Green, by far the smaller of the pair, might have thrown the first punch, but that did not justify the beating he suffered in return.

A flurry of punches left him with chipped teeth and blood pouring down his face, while bruising to his body could suggest the attack continued after he had slumped to the ground.

Minutes later Mr Green was seen staggering into the hotel foyer “with blood streaming from his face”. He had his wounds stitched in hospital.

An uninjured Barnshaw was arrested in his hotel room in the early hours.

He insisted Mr Green had “asked him out” and thrown the first punch.

He told police: “He was a drunk and drunk people can’t hit people. I would probably have just stood there all night with him punching me. I don’t think he could have done much.”

The trial continues.

By Peter Johnson