An alleged murderer who put a young man in a choke hold claimed he was trying to protect him as he restrained him on the floor.

After being arrested, John Dickson told police: "I was there to help and protect and that is what I achieved."

During interview the 27-year-old was shown CCTV footage of him lying on the floor of The Link car park, in Broadstairs. He had 20-year-old Carl Gregory in a wrestling-type hold.

After around a minute he got up and made a movement, which a detective suggested to him was a stamp on Mr Gregory, before walking off.

But Dickson, head gardener at the town's Tudor Park museum, insisted the movement was actually him straightening out his high visibility jacket.

He added at one point he rolled over to shield Mr Gregory from further attack from co-defendant Christopher Pollard.

In his interview Pollard, 20, told police he had wanted to go back to check Mr Gregory was breathing but Dickson had stopped him saying: "It's done, we need to go."

He added that after the fight, Dickson had told him he felt better after releasing pent up aggression.

Dickson denied saying both things and refuted Mr Gregory was unconscious when the pair left the car park and was in fact moving around on all fours.

He added he did not let Chris go back because it would have been odd to have a fight with someone one minute and then immediately want to check if they were alright.

Mr Gregory, who suffered from ADHD, was discovered by staff at Poundland. Despite prolonged resuscitation efforts, he died at the scene.

The jury previously heard the fight happened on the evening of October 4 after Mr Gregory, of Ramsgate, posted an offensive picture about his ex Chloe Lemare on Facebook.

"I was there to help and protect and that is what I achieved" - John Dickson to police

Miss Lemare contacted Pollard, who she instructed to send an offensive message to Mr Gregory, but she said she had no idea the pair had planned to meet.

Pollard met with Mr Gregory at the car park and brought housemate and colleague Dickson with him.

It is alleged Dickson got Mr Gregory in a choke hold while Pollard kicked him with steel toe capped boots.

Dickson, of Northdown Road, Cliftonville, and Pollard, of Brimstone Hill, Meopham, deny murder.

The trial continues.