A 27-year-old yesterday admitted hitting the man he is accused of brutally beating but said he did so in self-defence.

Frederick Anthony Swann told a Supreme Court jury he was forced to protect himself from Damon Robinson.

Swann said the 32-year-old was intoxicated last August 15 when, for no apparent reason, he began running towards him with beer bottles swinging.

"He got closer and he swung with one of the bottles in his hand," said Swann. "He swung at me. He missed because I stepped to the side. I hit him on the right side of his face. I hit him with my fist."

Swann is charged with causing Mr. Robinson grievous bodily harm. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Robinson was kicked repeatedly by Swann and 27-year-old Jermaine Simmons, as he walked down the stairs of Champions Sports Club around 5 a.m.

It also alleges Simmons was able to flee the scene of the crime and the Island with help from his 29-year-old girlfriend, Carlena Caines.

Caines and Swann both deny the charges. Mr. Robinson was beaten unconscious outside Champions. He suffered a broken jaw in two places, a collapsed left lung, and bleeding and swelling to his brain.

Yesterday Swann told the Supreme Court he and Simmons were at Docksiders Pub & Restaurant on Front Street earlier that evening.

He described Simmons as a "brother" and said they had known each other for several years.

According to Swann, by the time they moved to Champions, Simmons was "very intoxicated".

He said they saw Mr. Robinson at the Reid Street bar.

"I don't know him as 'my boy'," Swann said. "When we see each other, we speak. I have never had a problem with him in my life. He was intoxicated. He came into the bar and was demanding certain things and was loud and vulgar."

Swann claimed he and Simmons were walking out of the bar when they were approached by Mr. Robinson on the dance floor.

He said a "slight commotion" between Simmons and Mr. Robinson was quickly put to rest.

The defendant said he and Simmons were walking out of the club behind Mr. Robinson when his friend started to run.

Swann then claimed Simmons slipped down the steps. A fight had started by the time the trio got outside.

"They were swinging at each other and they got a few hits in," Swann said. "At one point Jermaine got a grip on him. I then stepped in and broke up the fight."

Swann told the jury his intention was to take Simmons home. He said he propped Simmons up against the car when a bottle came flying across.

It was then, he said, he saw Mr. Robinson with two bottles in his hand.

"Damon was running in our direction. As he got closer, I was feeling confused because I never had any problem with this guy. I thought I was helping him by breaking up the fight. After he got to a certain distance, I felt threatened so I did self-defence. I felt like I had to protect myself."

Swann said he never kicked Mr. Robinson. After hitting him, he said he turned back to Simmons to make sure he was still standing. He said he then returned into the club to try to get the car keys from Caines.

The defendant said when he went back downstairs he got into a "scuffle" with Simmons to try to prevent him from fighting with the victim.

When Caines came downstairs, the three left in her car for Simmons' house.