A TEENAGER bled to death after he was stabbed in the back at his 18th birthday party, a court was told yesterday.

Newcastle Crown Court heard David Mitchell, 19, plunged a kitchen knife into Paul Best after grabbing him in a headlock during the gathering at his home on February 13 last year.

Alcohol and cannabis had been taken at the house and the knife used to kill Mr Best had earlier been used to cut the drug.

Mr Mitchell, also of North Crescent, denies murder.

Brian Forster QC, prosecuting, told the jury: "On the day he was killed, Paul Best was celebrating his 18th birthday. He was loved by his family and he was liked by many."

Mr Forster read an extract from a statement by one of three teenagers at the party who witnessed the killing.

He said: "David picked up the kitchen knife, I think from the carpet next to the fire hearth, with his right hand and held it by his side with the blade pointing out.

"On seeing this, Paul got up out of the chair and said something like put the knife down and don't be stupid.

"At this, David went for Paul, grabbing him around his neck with his left arm and putting his head into David's chest.

"I then saw David raise his right hand back and go around his ears. I could see he was still holding the knife.

"David struck down hard and fast with the knife, stabbing Paul right in the middle of his back.

"The knife seemed to go right into Paul's back then David pulled the knife back out.

"The knife was dropped on to the floor in the sitting room."

Mr Best was pronounced dead on the sitting room floor of his semi-detached house at North Crescent, Easington Village, County Durham, when emergency services arrived a short time later.

Mr Forster told jurors they may have to consider issues of provocation and diminished responsibility as the trial progressed. The trial continues.