Man, 82, killed by teen in street attack, jury told

An 82-year-old man died after producing a pocket knife in front of schoolchildren and being attacked by a 16-year-old boy, a manslaughter trial has heard.

Giovanni Cecaro, who was also known as John, was on his daily walk when he encountered youths outside shops in Slough, Berkshire, on 24 September 2024, Reading Crown Court was told.

He was pushed over and died in hospital five days later, prosecutors said.

A boy from Slough, who is now aged 17 and cannot be named because of his age, denies the manslaughter charge.

The group of boys and girls were jostling each other outside a convenience store at the junction of Stoke Road and Elliman Avenue, according to CCTV footage played in court.

At about 15:50 BST, Cecaro approached and began to chat with them, the jury was told.

He briefly took a pocket knife from his jeans before putting it away, the court heard.

He then slapped a boy's hand away and was immediately pushed backwards over a kerb by a second boy, the jury was told.

The sound of him striking the ground was "loud enough to cause the shop window and vegetable stalls to shake", the trial heard.

His son, Cipriano Cecaro, said his father was taken to hospital the following day.

Giving evidence, the witness said: "He was conscious. He had his eyes open but he couldn't speak at all."

The 82-year-old had a history of heart failure, his son added.

His father, a vehicle mechanic, came to England from Italy in 1968 and had lived in Stoke Road for 51 years, Cipriano Cecaro said.

Defence barrister Ed Butler told him: "We are very sorry for your loss.

"You should know that that was never the intention of the young man I represent."

The trial continues.