An aggressive nightclub customer lost consciousness and stopped breathing after he was restrained on the ground “rigidly” by three bouncers for about 15 minutes, a court heard.

Michael Bowes suffered a cardiac respiratory collapse after being ejected from a drum and bass club night at the former Rivals club in Deal in the early hours of August 11, 2013.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said there was no natural cause for the 25-year-old’s heart and lungs to stop functioning properly, but a number of factors contributed to his collapse and later death.

“Muscular” Mr Bowes, of King Street, Margate, had been drinking heavily and he was a user of steroids and cocaine.

But there were other factors associated with restraint which caused him to lose consciousness and stop breathing, Mr Atkinson told Maidstone Crown Court.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Bowes had been struck to the face before he was taken to the ground and there was evidence of force being applied to his back and neck.

“That force was excessive in the degree of pressure and the duration it lasted,” Mr Atkinson alleged.

The doormen who restrained Mr Bowes were Peter Holland, 46, Jamie Seal, 27, and Simon Banks, 40, who were working for Marc-One Security.

Holland, of St Pierre Court, Prince of Wales Terrace, Deal, Seal, of Beech Grove, Cliffsend, Ramsgate, and Banks, of William Pitt Avenue, Deal, all deny manslaughter by gross negligence.

Mr Bowes and his girlfriend Jade Adley had been drinking before they went to the Breakology event in Queen Street and continued to do so while there. At the time it was known as Rivals before being sold and re-opened as Ocean Rooms.

Mr Atkinson said Miss Adley became involved in a fight with another woman.

Mr Bowes intervened and they were both ejected through different doors.

Mr Bowes broke a window and damaged a door frame.

“In addition, he sought to remonstrate with those who ejected him,” said Mr Atkinson. ”He wanted to get back into the club to find his girlfriend.

“He appeared angry and aggressive and the very type of person door staff would have expected to deal with using the minimum level of force, if it was required.

“They are trained to deal with it without posing any risk to his health or well-being. They sought to restrain him.

“One struck him to the face. He was forced into a hard surface before being taken to the ground. Mr Seal restrained the top of his body, Mr Banks restrained his leg or waist area and Mr Holland restrained his feet.

“During this period of restraint, it became apparent Mr Bowes lost consciousness, He had been held rigidly on the floor for about 15 minutes.

“During that time excessive and inappropriate pressure was applied to his neck and chest. It would have seriously restricted his ability to breathe.”

The trial continues.