A MAN accused of stamping on another man’s head has claimed he only acted in self defence after a stranger hit him with a bottle in the street.

Ian Starr alleged he was on his way to a friend’s house after 2.30am on August 29 when two men on a bench across the street near Clifton Green in York called him over and they talked for a bit.

“Next thing I can remember is smashing glass and pain in my head,” he alleged.

He claimed he lashed out at the first man and both men then attacked him in turn.

The jury in a trial at York Crown Court heard the first man’s jaw was broken and he also had a black eye.

“Everyone has got a temper,” alleged Starr. “Everyone regrets their actions. I regret what happened that night. I don’t regret defending myself. I have always been taught to stand up for myself.

“That is what I did that night. It was reckless in the way I did it. I didn’t go out looking for trouble but trouble found me.”

Both the other men alleged earlier in the trial that Starr called across the street at them asking if they had cocaine.

Both alleged he grabbed the first man by the collar after they told him they didn’t have any.

Both denied attacking Starr. Eye-witnesses have alleged that Starr stamped on the head of the first man as he lay unmoving on the ground, kicked him in the face and chest, pushed him into the road, and renewed the attack four times.

Starr, 33, of Storey Close, Helmsley, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the first man and assaulting the second.

The jury heard he has 18 previous convictions including for possessing cocaine with intent to supply it in 2011, causing actual bodily harm, public order offences, and in 2017 harassing county court staff.

Giving evidence, Starr alleged he had drunk three or four or five cans or lager and a couple of vodka shots from about 10pm on August 28.

He claimed he couldn’t remember what he talked about with the two men.

He denied asking the two men for cocaine. He alleged he “didn’t do drugs” because he had regular alcohol and drug tests as part of his railway job.

The trial continues.