WITNESSES have told the Yates's Wine Bar murder trial different accounts of what happened outside its riverside entrance on Good Friday.

The jury at York Crown Court heard that alleged murder victim Bill Smith, 62, tried to head-butt doorman Paul Maurice Garner, 60, that he tried to punch him and that he grabbed his clothes.

They heard that Garner took a running head-butt at Mr Smith and that the doorman grabbed Mr Smith's clothing and pulled him towards him as he head-butted him.

All the witnesses were in a queue waiting to go into Yates's Wine Bar late on Good Friday when doormen refused Mr Smith and his friend, Victor Hodge, entry because they had had too much to drink. Garner, of Chaloners Road, Woodthorpe, denies alternate charges of murder and manslaughter.

Undergraduate Matthew Panall claimed that he saw Mr Smith grab Garner and that there was no warning of Garner head-butting Mr Smith.

Kevin Carr alleged Garner pulled the customer towards him and head-butted him.

"As far as I could see, the bloke (Mr Smith) took a swing at him, so it was self-defence. I would have done the same if someone took a swing at me," said Mr Carr.

He alleged that Garner seemed to "swan" back into the pub after the incident.

Edward Tutill alleged that Mr Smith was agitated, but not violent.

"He (Garner) came out of the entrance and launched himself head first at the chap (Mr Smith)", he said. "It was a flying blow. I would have to run to demonstrate it myself."

He praised another doorman, whom he called "Phil" for the way he called for an ambulance and ordered first aid procedures on Mr Smith.

Mr Tutill said: "He (Phil) had a panic in his voice. He was extremely worried."

Elinore Faustino alleged she saw Garner standing with a tense expression and set jaw inside the pub after the incident, looking out.

She and Richard Whitfield claimed they saw Mr Smith lift his head towards Garner before the head-butt.

Mr Whitfield alleged that Garner's head movement was in response to that.

Some of the witnesses said they did not see all the action, including Janine Barrett, who claimed she only saw the head-butt.

The trial continues.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, November 14, 2003