A JEALOUS lover is accused of killing his friend and leaving him unconscious in his bed.

Sam Houghton, of Back Lane, Higher Whitley, is alleged to have punched 26-year-old David Roper because he thought he was having a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Lamb, who was also the mother of his aborted child.

Houghton is charged with manslaughter after the victim died from multiple head injuries in March.

At Chester Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday, prosecuting barrister Michael Chambers said: "Jealously and ill-will were the defendant's aggression towards the deceased.

"He believed Roper had slept with his girlfriend when she was pregnant."

Roper of Old Lane, Barnton, died 10 days later in Walton Hospital, Liverpool.

The court was told that when Houghton punched Mr Roper in the face, it caused him to fall and hit his head on the ground.

Mr Roper woke with blood on his jumper and face. He drove to his parents home at Sandymoor, Runcorn where he was taken to hospital.

The trial continues.