A TEENAGER who stabbed to death a stranger after a senseless row over money was is starting a sentence of almost nine years.

Josh Johnson, 19, argued with Dale Arnold at the 32-year-old's home in Kelloe, County Durham, after turning up with two women.

One of the women wanted to borrow money for a taxi fare, but Mr Arnold was said to have been fed-up with being used for cash.

Johnson branded the former Sky engineer as "a tight ****" which led to a fight on the village's Front Street shortly afterwards.

The Northern Echo:

Dale Arnold was in a 'road-rage' but ended up being stabbed to death

Mr Arnold was said by witnesses to be in a "roid-rage" after taking steroids and drinking vodka, and behaving like The Hulk.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the teenager tried to defuse the row, and left the scene but was followed by the older man.

However, he picked up a knife from the kitchen - to defend himself, according to his barrister - and used it in fear.

Peter Makepeace, QC, described Johnson as a "peaceful lad" who had never before been in trouble or involved in violence.

He told the court: "There is nothing in his past to suggest he is anything other than a thoroughly, thoroughly decent man."

Mr Makepeace described his client as "an idiotic and insane act" to pick up the knife, but said Johnson was subject to "extreme provocation".

In an impact statement, Mr Arnold's mother, Kathleen, described him as "a constant in my life" and told of her heartache.

She explained how his half-brother, Joe, died in a traffic accident, and they are now buried in adjoining plots in Kelloe.

Mrs Arnold - who left court with relatives when CCTV footage of the stabbing was shown - said she has a void in her life.

She said in her statement that her son was given £8,000 damages after an assault, and people took advantage of his windfall.

Johnson, of Middlewood, Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, admitted manslaughter, and was jailed for eight years and nine months.

Mr Arnold was flown from the scene to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he died of his injuries.

Tim Roberts, QC, prosecuting, said he suffered the fatal stab wound of the four he suffered went through his lung and aorta.

Johnson fled from the scene, dumped the weapon, his t-shirt and mobile phone, and hid in a Gateshead hotel for the night.