A 70-year-old motorist murdered a pensioner during a fit of road rage after climbing out of his car and punching and kicking his victim who died three days later, prosecutors claimed on the first day of his trial yesterday (Monday).

Defendant Odysseas Vafiadis was driving his grandson home from the Chalfont Leisure Centre when he had to stop his white Skoda Yeti close to a zebra crossing to let pedestrian Paul Davidson walk across on a main road in Chalfont St Peter last year.

The pair exchanged words in an altercation before grey-haired Vafiadis, from Gerrards Cross, started throwing punches and kicks at the 69-year-old’s face, arm and back, fracturing four ribs which led to his death, Reading Crown Court heard.

Doctors did not initially diagnose Mr Davidson with any broken bones but the bruising worsened overnight when his partner, Nicola Ferguson, noticed "enormous" bruising on his back, the jury was told.

The court heard that after returning from walking his dog on November 9, 2015 – three days after the alleged attack – Mr Davidson vomited and collapsed before losing colour in his face and dying from broken ribs that had punctured his lungs and abdomen.

Vafiadis, who walked into the dock with the aid of a walking stick, is charged with one count of murder and one count of manslaughter, both of which he denies.

UPDATE: Read more from the trial as victim said to have sworn at Vafiadis before alleged attack

Prosecuting the grandfather, Ian Hope told jurors he was arrested on the same day Mr Davidson died and claimed he retaliated violently in self-defence during the incident in Market Square, last year.

Bucks Free Press:

"On Friday, November 6, of last year Mr Vafiadis was with his 15-year-old grandson at Chalfont Leisure Centre, something he did regularly," said the prosecutor.

"The intention was to drive [him] home and he headed down the hill in his white Skoda Yeti.

"He travelled from the leisure centre towards the high street and, at 8.54pm, was approaching the zebra crossing.

"The defendant and Mr Davidson had never met and the first time Mr Vafiadis ever set eyes on Mr Davidson was as he drove towards the zebra crossing."

A combination of Vafiadis' driving and Mr Davidson's "ambling" on the zebra crossing led to an exchange of words before Vafiadis landed a number of punches and kicks during the one minute and 45 seconds of rage, the court heard.

Mr Hope said: "It is quite clear to the prosecution Mr Vafiadis lost his temper.

"Mr Vafiadis got out of his vehicle and approached Mr Davidson. He launched an assault on him with his fists, his feet and then his fists again.

"Mr Davidson's partner, Nicola Ferguson, made a statement where she said Mr Vafiadis repeatedly kicked Mr Davidson as he was on the floor.

"Various members of the public saw portions of this incident.

"One witness said that when she got there Mr Davidson was on the floor holding on tight to the driver's jumper shouting 'call the police'."

Another witness described seeing a man being lifted from the floor and being slammed down onto the pavement like someone would slam a basketball into a net.

Vafiadis, of Birchdale, Gerrards Cross, inflicted numerous rib fractures which led to a number of complications including haemo-pneumo thorax, the jury was told.

Mr Hope added: "When Mr Vafiadis was arrested he told police Mr Davidson approached his window and he called him an idiot. He said the male grabbed him around the neck and still had a mark.

"He said he punched the male in the face once with force. He also said he heard the male's head go 'clunk' on the floor."

The trial continues.