A MAN accused of knocking another unconscious after a night out said he did so to save his daughter, a court has heard.

David Scott, 47, and his daughter Amelia Scott, 25, stand accused of causing Michael Donnellan grievous bodily harm with intent during an altercation at Old Orchard in Poole last year.

Both father and daughter deny the charges.

Scott had been celebrating his birthday with his daughter and girlfriend Paige Pope, at his flat in Parkstone on June 27 when they'd gone for drinks at the Quay, Bournemouth Crown Court heard yesterday.

Returning home they came across Mr Donnellan arguing with his girlfriend, Jacqui Longman, during which Mr Donnellan had "slapped" her.

Amelia Scott, of Stourcliffe Avenue in Bournemouth, claimed Mr Donnellan grabbed her by the neck when she reproached him, causing Ms Pope to scream.

Defending David Scott, Robert Pawson, said: “At that moment you come around that corner and you see a man, six foot three, with his arm around your daughter’s neck – what is upper most in your mind?”

Scott responded: “Amelia’s safety."

When asked if he considered the force used "reasonable", Scott replied: "I think it was totally appropriate at the time given the aggression he had shown."

"It was never my intention to deliberately hurt him," Scott added and that he did "what was necessary" to extricate both himself and his daughter from the situation.

The trial continues.