A JURY has heard a woman say she saw the punch that allegedly killed a Lake District hotel worker in the street. 

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When initially interviewed by police after the death of Gordon Smith in Windermere, Lorraine Puzzau did not state that she saw the fatal blow. 

However, Ms Puzzau later contacted officers to tell them she had in fact witnessed the alleged attack in the early hours of 1 July last year. 


Police investigate the scene of the incident in Brookside, Lake Road Windermere. Mark Russell, 27, is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. 

He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter following Mr Smith's death. 

In court today, jurors saw a video interview Ms Puzzau gave to police. 

Ms Puzzau told an officer she saw Russell use his right fist to punch Mr Smith, making contact with the chin and neck area. 

She said: "The sound that came from the pit of his (Russell's) stomach was primeval. 

"I couldn't believe the noise. I couldn't believe the force. 

"He (Mr Smith) just crumpled as if he had been knocked out." 

The jury has heard that Russell, previously of Holly Terrace, Windermere, "admits the killing" but claims he acted in self-defence. 

The trial continues.