“It is all an accident. My client never had the intention to harm, let alone kill anyone. This is a huge blow for those affected but also for my client,” said Leif Silbersky, who has taken over from Urban Jansson as counsel for the defence, to the Nyhetskanalen website.

The man was remanded into custody last week on charges of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.

The case, where a 78-year-old woman was punched and later died as she intervened on behalf of her 71-year-old husband after a parking dispute, has attracted a lot of attention in the Swedish media and in the southern town.

The woman lost consciousness in the affray and died after undergoing an operation at the Skåne University Hospital in Lund on March 31st while her husband escaped the incident with minor injuries.

The 23-year-old man was arrested on Good Friday. A further man has been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting the 23-year-old suspect.

The suspect’s immigrant background has become a source of major debate on internet forums and major demonstrations have been held in Landskrona with neo-Nazi and anti-fascist groups in attendance.

Police warned of trouble ahead of the demonstrations against violence in the town and have sought to pour cold water on suggestions that the death had any connection to integration problems long evident in the southern town.

Police have until April 20th to indict the 23-year-old.