A 22-year-old Ipswich man who punched a woman causing her to fall back and bang her head claimed he was acting in self defence, a court has heard.

As a result of the alleged single punch by Gerson Assuncao the woman suffered a bleed on her brain and was taken for treatment to Addenbroooke’s hospital in Cambridge, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Assuncao, of Burrell Road, Ipswich, has pleaded not guilty to an offence of unlawful wounding which allegedly took place on July 10 last year.

Stephen Mather, prosecuting, said the question for the jury in the trial was whether or not Assuncao was acting in self-defence.

The court heard that the alleged incident, which was captured on CCTV, took place in the area of the Cattle Market and Falcon Street in Ipswich town centre.

The trial continues.