A chess boxing champion has told a jury he feared he was about to be attacked when he knocked out a referee with a single punch.
Andrew Costello said he was acting in self defence during an argument about timekeeping at a bout of the bizarre sport at an Exeter club.
Costello was acting as timekeeper for the contest and the alleged victim Rajko Vujatovic was refereeing the boxing section of the when the incident occurred at the event at Club Rococo in August last year.
Chess boxing is a new sport which is designed to be a test of brains and brawn. Competitors switch between three minutes of chess and three minute boxing rounds.
Mr Vujatovic has told the jury at Exeter Crown Court there had been a dispute about timings which led to him allowing the chess to carry on for 30 seconds after Costello rang the bell.
He said he went up to his fellow official to explain his actions but was knocked out cold by a single punch from Costello which broke his jaw and prevented him eating solid food for ten weeks.
Costello, aged 47, of Mount Pleasant, Exeter, denies causing grievous bodily harm and the lesser alternative of causing actual bodily harm.
The prosecution allege the attack was unprovoked and was caused by Costello becoming angry about his decision on timings being overruled by Mr Vujatovic.
They say Costello, who has a background in various martial arts including boxing, was under no threat from Mr Vujatovic, who is much smaller than him and only boxed in a gym to keep fit.
Costello said he was acting in self defence and the chess referee had come towards him with his arms raised.
He said:"I did not get angry with him. He was wound up. He approached me in an aggressive and agitated manner. I hit him on the jaw because he was so close.
"I perceived a threat because of the way he came at me. I had no idea he would be injured so seriously. I raised my left hand to defend myself and punched him with my right as a reflex reaction.
"I don't know if I could have taken a step back. I think I was standing against the boxing ring. It did not occur to me to step back because of how close he was."
The trial continues
