Neighbours described Mr Proctor as a “top bloke”, “a typical Australian”, a popular and helpful neighbour who liked a beer, a punt, was a devoted follower of the South Sydney Rugby League team and who, four weeks ago, had become the proud grandfather of his first grandchild, Reegan. He had worked at Sutherland Shire Council for many years as a truck driver, where he was nicknamed “Bradman” because he couldn’t be got out of his truck.

“His face was as red as a beetroot,” he said. “After he was hit he stood for four or five minutes and then slowly fell to the ground.”

Relatives of Mr [Todd Munter], who were present in court yesterday and were clearly upset, refused to speak to the media, except for one woman who said: “We are decent people.”

KENNETH Proctor was watering his front lawn on Wednesday afternoon in the southern Sydney suburb of Sylvania. For the well- liked, retired council worker, it was a regular habit that he followed to the letter of local council water restrictions.

But an argument about water wastage with a stranger quickly escalated into a fight. He was allegedly knocked to the ground, and after ambulance officers rushed him to hospital, Mr Proctor, 66, was declared dead from a heart attack.

Todd Munter, 36, of Sylvania, has been charged with Mr Proctor’s murder.

He suffers from depression and was heavily medicated when he appeared before Sutherland Local Court yesterday. Mr Munter did not apply for bail and

was remanded in custody until a bail hearing at Central Local Court on November 15.

Police allege that Mr Munter, who lived about a kilometre away, was walking past the house when he became upset over the perceived waste of water. The two men argued and then Mr Proctor allegedly wet the younger man with his hose. Mr Munter allegedly responded by pushing the elderly man to the ground.

Neighbours described Mr Proctor as a “top bloke”, “a typical Australian”, a popular and helpful neighbour who liked a beer, a punt, was a devoted follower of the South Sydney Rugby League team and who, four weeks ago, had become the proud grandfather of his first grandchild, Reegan. He had worked at Sutherland Shire Council for many years as a truck driver, where he was nicknamed “Bradman” because he couldn’t be got out of his truck.

Bruce Buscombe, who lives next door, saw Mr Proctor after the alleged assault.

“His face was as red as a beetroot,” he said. “After he was hit he stood for four or five minutes and then slowly fell to the ground.”

Mr Buscombe said everyone in the neighbourhood was “just shocked. We are all used to the water restrictions; we all stick by them,” he said, adding that he was surprised that the restrictions would be linked to any crime.

Mr Buscombe said the first words uttered by widow Lynette Proctor yesterday morning were: “It was such a stupid thing.”

Mr Munter was arrested by an off-duty policeman who lives opposite the Proctor house.

Sydney Water reports that regulations covering Sylvania permit the watering of lawns by hand before 10am and after 4pm on Wednesdays and Sundays; therefore Mr Proctor was not in breach of them.

Relatives of Mr Munter, who were present in court yesterday and were clearly upset, refused to speak to the media, except for one woman who said: “We are decent people.”

Mr Proctor was a regular at the Sylvania Bowling Club, which is located just up the street from where he lived. Drinks were held in his memory last night.