The moment a father knocks out a man who threw a drink at him in McDonald's - and he claims he was acting in 'self-defence' after waiting for the man outside

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A father accused of assaulting a stranger at McDonald's has claimed he waited outside the restaurant before knocking the man unconscious in self-defence.

CCTV appears to show the alleged victim, Giovanni Datillo, act aggressively to staff and customers at the Park Street restaurant in central Sydney, before he threw a soft drink over alleged attacker Karl Higley, 41.

Mr Higley has claimed the behaviour warranted the alleged assault, and that he was acting in self defence when he waited outside the McDonald's entrance to elbow Mr Datillo in the chin and knock him unconscious, according to Seven News.

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Karl Higley, 41, has claimed he waited outside a Sydney McDonald's restaurant to knock a man unconscious in self defence (CCTV pictured)

According to the CCTV, Mr Datillo appeared to cause a scene inside the restaurant and was approached by a security guard.

Mr Higley was sitting by himself when Mr Datillo threw a soft drink over him.

Mr Higley then appeared to wait for the man outside the McDonalds entrance and around a corner, when he suddenly elbowed Mr Datillo in the chin and punched him repeatedly on the ground.

CCTV shows Mr Datillo's friends go to his aid, but back off when another was punched. 

The alleged attacker has claimed he acted in self-defence. 

CCTV appears to show alleged victim Mr Datillo act aggressively to staff and customers at the Park Street restaurant in central Sydney

Mr Higley plead not guilty to assault in the Downing Centre Local Court. 

McDonald's manager Shoven Ahmed said Mr Datillo had been aggressive to staff and customers in the restaurant.

'The male [Mr Datillo] was swearing at me and trying to fight me. He was trying to get me to go outside and fight him,' Mr Ahmed told police. 

Mr Higley will reappear in court in September over the alleged assault.

CCTV shows a security guard approach the alleged victim who was said to have been acting aggressively (pictured)

Alleged victim Mr Datillo threw a soft drink over alleged attacker Mr Higley, according to CCTV (Mr Higley sitting at back right)

Mr Higley has claimed he was acting in self defence when he waited outside the McDonald's entrance and allegedly assaulted Mr Datillo

Mr Higley has plead not guilty to assault in the Downing Centre Local Court

CCTV shows Mr Datillo's friends go to his aid, but back off when another was punched

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