A young man was put in a “choke hold” and strangled after he insulted his ex-girlfriend on a social networking site, a court heard.

Carl Gregory had posted an offensive picture of Chloe Lemare on Facebook and called her a slag.

She told her friend Christopher Pollard and a “heated exchange of words” began between him and 20-year-old Mr Gregory.

The pair eventually arranged to meet in a car park near Westwood Cross, Broadstairs, on the evening of October 4 last year, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

Pollard, 20, took his friend John Dickson, 27, with him and they ended up making a joint attack on Mr Gregory, it was alleged.

Prosecutor Philippa McAtasney QC said Pollard kicked the victim with steel cap boots and Dickson held him in a choke hold, which led to his death.

Dickson, of Northdown Road, Cliftonville, and Pollard, of Brimstone Hill, Meopham, deny murder.

Miss McAtasney told the jury of eight women and four men: “The prosecution case is that both these defendants murdered Carl Gregory.

“It is the prosecution case that in the course of the attack Carl Gregory was placed in a choke hold and asphyxiated for such a period of time that he became unconscious and sadly died.

“Since their arrest and detention both defendants have sought to absolve themselves of responsibility or shift the blame to the other for Carl Gregory’s death.

“The prosecution say both these defendants committed the crime together.”

Pokemon Go fan Mr Gregory, from Ramsgate, had been diagnosed with ADHD at a young age.

He was said to enjoy computer games, music and football. He played in goal and supported Portsmouth.

He met Miss Lemare about 18 months before his death. The relationship ended in August last year but they remained in contact.

Pollard lived in Margate with his girlfriend and a month before the alleged attack Dickson moved in with them.

Dickson was head gardener at Tudor House museum in the town and Pollard also worked there.

On the evening of October 4 Mr Gregory met Miss Lemare and friends at the Clock Tower in Margate.

After she told him she had a new boyfriend, Mr Gregory posted a picture on Facebook of a woman leap frogging over giant statues of phalluses with the caption: “How most girls get over ex’s”.

Miss Lemare took offence to that and him also calling her a slag. She contacted Pollard and he offered to say something to Mr Gregory.

“She encouraged this, asking him to say he was a ----,” said Miss McAtasney.

Pollard then sent a message to Mr Gregory telling him: “You are a ----.” Mr Gregory replied: “Haha, she ------ you too then.”

Pollard replied: “No, she hasn’t. Wouldn’t go there mate.”

Messages between then continued with Pollard sending a picture of a house to Mr Gregory, suggesting it was where he lived.

Mr Gregory told him: “Nice one, Sherlock. Did Watson tell you that?”

Pollard answered: “No, but he has told me the best way to get to you.” Mr Gregory then said: “Do you know how sad you sound?”

They eventually arranged to meet at The Link Retail Park. Pollard told Mr Gregory: “I will move as fast as I can. I can’t wait. If I am not there when you get there, kiss your mum goodbye.”

Mr Gregory responded: “Nice.”

Pollard told him to “hang tight” and added: “Just you and me. I will know if you have different people to come with you.”

Mr Gregory said “shut up and get a move on”.

Pollard took Dickson, wearing his work high visibility jacket, with him and they met Mr Gregory outside Hobbycraft at about 9.45pm.

Dickson was seen in CCTV footage holding Mr Gregory on the ground.

“Since their arrest and detention both defendants have sought to absolve themselves of responsibility or shift the blame to the other for Carl Gregory’s death" - prosecutor Philippa McAtasney

“He beckons and Christopher Pollard joins in,” said Miss McAtasney.

“It is the Crown’s case that while on the ground John Dickson is holding Carl Gregory in a choke hold which leads to asphyxia and ultimately his death.

“It is John Dickson’s account he was restraining Carl Gregory, but not by using a choke hold. He was, to use his words, ‘immobilising’ Carl Gregory by holding his arms and restraining him.

“Carl Gregory was also kicked and beaten by Christopher Pollard who was wearing steel toe-cap boots.”

They claimed Mr Gregory gave Pollard a vicious bite to his finger.

“By the time they left the scene Christopher Pollard says Carl Gregory was unconscious and he couldn’t feel a pulse,” continued Miss McAtasney.

“John Dickson said he could see Carl Gregory on hands and knees trying to get up.

“Both defendants walked away slowly and took an indirect to the QEQM Hospital so that Christopher Pollard could get medical attention for his finger.”

On the way Pollard contacted his girlfriend and told her: “Carl is unconscious. John put him in a choke hold.”

He also contacted Miss Lemare and asked that someone attend the scene and check whether Mr Gregory was conscious.

“The prosecution say that his phone calls and actions at this point were an indication of a sense of rising panic as the gravity of the situation was dawning upon him,” said Miss McAtasney.

Dickson told a friend in a phone call he got Mr Gregory in a headlock and he was left lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

He added: “He should recover and be alright in 15 minutes.”

Mr Gregory’s lifeless body was discovered by staff from nearby Poundland. They tried to rouse him and called 999.

Miss McAtasney said the emergency services made prolonged efforts to revive the victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

When arrested, Pollard said: “I didn’t do it. I told him to stop.”

While in custody, he wrote a note to himself recording his feelings. It said: “When I saw John grab Carl like that I knew he wanted to do it. I should never have gone there.

“He would not have killed Carl and this would never have happened. I should have known John would do something like that. At this moment I still can’t stop crying. I didn’t kill him. I wouldn’t do that - never.

“I hate John for what he done. I begged him to stop. It is like a nightmare from which I need to wake up.”

The court is not sitting tomorrow and the trial continues on Wednesday.