Mr McLeod, 25, who had earlier that night been arrested for drink-driving before being released by the police, started calling out to one of the party guests, Shane Campbell, to come outside, the Supreme Court heard on Monday.

Six men Campbell, Christian Pickering, Shane Willshire, Gavin Willshire and two others confronted McLeod and chased him down the street before he was bashed and later died.

An autopsy revealed Mr McLeod had suffered multiple blunt trauma injuries to the head and face caused by an iron pole.

All six men were arrested and charged with murder.

A magistrate later discharged the two Willshire brothers at the end of a committal hearing, finding there was insufficient evidence for a jury to convict them. The Office of Public Prosecutions decided to withdraw the murder charges against Campbell, 39, and Pickering, 26. The two men, who have been in custody for more than 17 months, pleaded guilty on Monday to the lesser charge of affray.

The two other men allegedly involved are due to stand trial for murder in August.

Prosecutor Diana Piekusis said Mr McLeod had been staying at Aboriginal elder Alva Taylor's home with his partner, Nicole McEwan, his friend, Ian Willis, and Mr Willis's new partner, Nicole Taylor.

Ms Taylor had had an on-again, off-again relationship with Campbell for 12 years and the couple had three children before they separated and she began a relationship with Mr Willis.

The dispute between Campbell and Mr McLeod began after Campbell had ridden to Alva Taylor's home on his bicycle and yelled abuse at Ms Taylor, Mr Willis, Mr McLeod and Ms McEwan. Campbell later visited Alva Taylor's home, which upset her and she asked him to leave.

Mr McLeod became angry at Campbell's antics and wanted to meet him to sort things out.

After being caught drink-driving with a blood alcohol level of .116 per cent at 7pm on February 10 last year, Mr McLeod later went to the house where the 15-year-old girl's birthday party was being held to confront Campbell.

Defence barrister George Georgiou, for Pickering, said his client had not known Mr McLeod and had had no involvement in the incidents leading up to the fatal bashing.

Mr Georgiou said Pickering had been a party guest enjoying the night, relaxing, having a few drinks and playing backyard cricket when Mr McLeod began calling out to Campbell.

Pickering believed Mr McLeod was acting in a threatening and provocative manner, swearing in front of a large number of adults and children at the party.

Mr Georgiou said Pickering and other guests went outside to ask Mr McLeod to leave. "When he didn't leave, they began pursuing him," he said.

Pickering claimed he punched Mr McLeod twice to avoid being stabbed but was not part of the fatal bashing.

Campbell claimed he tackled Mr McLeod to the ground and punched him in the jaw but was also not part of the fatal bashing.

Mr McLeod's mother, Donna, in her victim impact statement, said she had trouble sleeping because she kept 'seeing Ben battered in the street'.

Justice Terry Forrest sentenced Pickering to time already served and he walked free from court.

Campbell will be sentenced later this week.