A pensioner playing cricket with his son died after being pelted with sticks and stones by a group of youngsters, the Old Bailey has heard.

Five youths, now aged between 12 and 14, deny Ernest Norton's manslaughter in February last year, and violent disorder.

Mr Norton, 67, suffered a heart attack and died after collapsing at the outdoor tennis courts at the Erith Leisure Centre, Kent.

David Fisher QC, prosecuting, said Mr Norton was playing cricket with his 17-year-old son James when a group of 15 youths gathered at the fence and began shouting abuse.

He said: "As the abuse worsened, the group began throwing stones and pieces of wood at father and son. Ernest Norton was struck at least twice on the head by these missiles.

"One of the stones hit him on the left side of his face causing a fracture to his cheekbone. He collapsed and suffered a heart attack. He received medical attention at the scene but was pronounced dead later that afternoon."

The mob, allegedly including the defendants, ran away.

Mr Fisher added: "This was a completely unnecessary, pointless and random attack by these five defendants.

"They are jointly responsible for this attack and jointly responsible for his death."