A deaf homeless man accused of murdering a deaf actor who was punched outside a Highbury pub had been attending a social event for the hard of hearing with his alleged victim, it emerged this week.

Matthew Powe, 30, was charged with the murder of Vitalis Katakinas near the White Swan pub after the pair went to the event for deaf people on June 29.

Mr Katakinas, from Lithuania, suffered a serious head injury that night and died in hospital a week later.

Described as an inspirational actor, the father-of-one had won accolades for his performance in Deafinitely Theatre’s hit production of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Powe was originally charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, but was later charged with murder after Mr Katakinas’ death and appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday with the assistance of a sign language interpreter for a preliminary hearing.

He was remanded in custody and will return to court to enter a plea on October 21.