THE brother of a man stabbed to death in his home told a jury yesterday of "my worst nightmare" after his two best friends were arrested for the murder.

Anthony Hoe was accused under cross-examination of fabricating evidence to frame David and Terry Reed for the killing of his brother, Peter, last October.

But the 42-year-old told defence barrister Jamie Hill, QC: "I don't want people who haven't killed my brother to go to jail. . . I wish it had been someone else."

During almost four hours in the witness stand yesterday, Mr Hoe added: "This is my worst nightmare, this. I would rather it be anyone else but them."

When Mr Hill said many people had a grudge against his brother, Mr Hoe asked: "Do you think I would be lying to put them in jail and leave the killer out there?"

David Reed, 29, and Terry, 26, are alleged to have stabbed former boxer Mr Hoe, 43,to death at his home in Eston, near Middlesbrough, on October 12.

It is said that David Reed had a fixation with the renowned hard-man Mr Hoe and sought fights with him to try to replace him as their neighbourhood's toughest character.

The jury at Teesside Crown Court heard how Anthony Hoe and David Reed were best mates and regularly weight-trained together at Grangetown Boys' Club.

Mr Hoe continually stared at the Reeds in the dock, and when asked why he was doing so, he replied: "Because they killed my brother - stabbed him in the back - they were my best mates."

On one of the occasions Mr Hoe pointed to the brothers and made the allegation, David Reed joined in the bizarre court-room scene and pleaded: "You're wrong, Anthony, you're wrong."

The brothers, of Tennyson Avenue, Grangetown, deny murder, and the trial continues.