A rugby player from Somerset accused of injuring a police officer playing for the opposing side in a match has told a court he hit out in self defence.

Daniel Bickford suffered a fractured eye socket and broken nose while playing for Brixham against Clevedon in a match in March last year.

Anthony Dauncey, 28, of Marsdon Road, Clevedon, has pleaded not guilty at Exeter Crown Court to charges of causing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.

Mr Bickford told the court that he was punched three times in the face by Dauncey during a ruck about 15 minutes into the game at Brixham.

But Dauncey told the court that he only punched Mr Bickford once in self defence when he saw the opponent coming towards him raising his hands.

He said he was in the ruck when he felt someone lifting his leg in an illegal movement, and swung his clenched fist in backward motion and did not dispute that blow struck someone, probably hitting Mr Bickford who was playing at No.7, in the mouth.

'The ruck then started to break up and I turned to leave,' said Dauncey.

'I saw the No.7 coming towards me. I could not work out what he was saying but he was not coming to wish me Merry Christmas.

'He was about one and a half to two metres from me and getting closer. His hands were coming up from his waist and I thought he was going to strike me.

'That was my honest belief. He appeared aggressive and I thought that was because I had just caught him in the chops. I threw one punch to defend myself and it landed in his face. The game then carried on until the next break when one of their players, which I later found out to be the No.7 needed treatment.'

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