Ernest Norton died from a heart attack after being pelted

The boy was scared about speaking in front of his father who was present when he was questioned by police, the Old Bailey heard.

A gang allegedly pelted Ernest Norton, 67, with sticks and stones as he played cricket with his son in Erith, Kent.

Five boys, now aged between 12 and 14, deny manslaughter and violent disorder.

I was scared and I didn't want to be put in the blame and I was just really worried about my mum and dad. The teenager

The boy now feels his behaviour towards the pensioner was "appalling", the jurors heard.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "I was scared and I didn't want to be put in the blame and I was just really worried about my mum and dad.

"I didn't want to admit anything in front of my dad."

When cross-examined by David Fisher QC, prosecuting, the teenager said: "My head wasn't straight, it was all over the place. It's the first time I've been arrested. I was trying to get as far away from it as possible."

'Bit of fun'

The boy said the group were throwing sticks and stones and had been trying to hit the cricket stumps for a "bit of fun" but agreed Mr Norton or his son James, 17, would feel "intimidated".

He added his friends were just "little kids" and he never thought the pensioner would have a heart attack.

Earlier in the day the group, who were members of a gang, were involved in a fight with a rival gang and managed to chase them away, jurors heard.

After the confrontation they picked on Mr Norton who swore at the teenagers in response.

The boy agreed with the prosecutor that they were not prepared "to take anything from this man" following the standoff with their rivals.