A “chance meeting” between two former friends left one man dead after he was beaten with a knuckle-duster, a court has heard.

Andrew Boag, 35, died after he was subjected to a “brutal assault” in Garsmouth Way, Watford, on July 25, 2008.

He was standing beside a taxi at around 9.30pm when he was confronted by Stephen Lowe, who denies murdering Mr Boag, St Albans Crown Court was told today.

Prosecutor Anne Evans said the men had been friends “on and off” for a number of years, but fell out when Mr Lowe, who is known as Frosty, “encouraged” Terri Leighton to report Mr Boag to police, after Mr Boag assaulted her.

Ms Evans said: “It seems violence was bound to erupt between them sooner rather than later.”

The jury of seven women and five men heard that on July 25, the two men “spotted each other” in Garsmouth Way when the white transit van Mr Lowe was in drove past Mr Boag.

Ms Evans said Mr Boag was then heard to say: “Frosty you f*****g ****k, you're going to get it”.

The court heard that, as Mr Lowe walked toward the taxi, Mr Boag leaned into the vehicle, which led Mr Lowe to believe he was reaching for a knife, and a struggle began.

Ms Evans said that Mr Lowe used a knuckle-duster to repeatedly punch Mr Boag, an “attack” that left Mr Boag unconscious.

The prosecutor said: “There was no lawful reason for Stephen Lowe to get out of the van, go over to Andrew Boag and beat him with a knuckle-duster on so that he died at the scene. This is murder.

“Stephen Lowe knows his own strength, especially with a knuckle-duster on. He calmly walked away from the scene, got into the van and left.”

The court heard that three days after Mr Boag's death, Mr Lowe handed himself in at Watford Police Station and was arrested for murder.

Ms Evans said Mr Lowe's defence intended to show he acted out of self-defence.

Stephen Lowe, of Breakspeare Close, Watford, has pleaded not guilty to murder, and not guilty to an alternative count of manslaughter. The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

The trial continues.