A MAN who died after an ‘attack’ at Reading Train Station has been described as a ‘shy, friendly, happy spirit,’ a court has heard.

Thomas Parker, 24, sadly died on platform eight just before midnight on July 30 last year.

Kirkpatrick Virgo, of Whitby Road, Slough, admitted manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon during an appearance in court on November 18 last year.

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However, the 42-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder is currently on trial at Reading Crown Court.

The jury heard during the opening statements on Monday (March 20), that Mr Parker, his brother Craig, and their two friends Adam Moore and Adam May were travelling back from London after watching a football match between Arsenal and Sevilla.

Giving evidence on Tuesday (March 21), Mr Moore described Mr Parker as a ‘happy spirit’.

He said: “Tom was a very shy, friendly, funny young man. [He was] never any bother, just a friendly happy spirit.”

He told the court he had known Mr Parker and his brother, Craig, through work as greenkeepers at a golf club.

The trio plus Mr May would watch football together and play golf which Mr Moore described as ‘all very friendly’.

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On the day of the incident, Mr Moore said the group had been ‘drunk and merry’ on the way back from London.

While on the train, he described the defendant getting on the train at Slough with two other males, one holding a ‘big speaker playing loud rap music’.

Mr Moore said Craig Parker had asked the male to turn the music down but the defendant intervened and said, ‘Do you want to die tonight?’ in what Mr Moore described as a ‘dominant’ tone.

“It was quite an assertive moment,” said Mr Moore. “Craig was fairly dismissive. It’s not something I feel like you to take to heart.”

The court heard that when the train stopped Mr Moore was intent on getting home. He said he was walking towards the concession stand when he saw Craig Parker ‘tackling’ a man from the train but he couldn’t tell which one.

“Craig tackled the person down,” he said. “I saw security and heard Craig say, ‘No you need to detain him, he’s dangerous.’”

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Mr Moore then left the station and went home with his girlfriend. He didn’t find out that Mr Parker had died until later on.

When asked why he left the station, Mr Moore said: “I just wanted to get home. I wasn’t ready for a scuffle.”

The trial continues.