A MAN has been jailed for life after stabbing his friend to death in a row about a mobile phone.

Lee Wall and Darryl Fowler had been with their girlfriends when an argument broke out at a flat on Gateshead’s Leam Lane Estate on the evening of September 11 last year.

A fight ensued during which Wall, 43, stabbed Darryl twice.

The 28-year-old then staggered into the street where he collapsed.

The victim’s partner rang 999 for an ambulance but Wall was heard on the call encouraging her to say “two men” had stabbed him and fled the scene.

Wall and his own partner, Emma Brown, 29, were later caught on CCTV discarding the murder weapon down a drain.

At court, Wall, of Chevington, Leam Lane, claimed he stabbed his friend in self-defence but he was convicted of murder by a jury in February.

The Northern Echo:

A still from footage by Northumbria Police showing the moment they fished the murder weapon from a drain

He was back in front of a judge at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday where he was jailed for life, with a mimum term of 19-years.

Brown, also of Chevington, was jailed for 21-months after admitting perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

A police spokesmand said: "There are no winners in this case and it shows the consequences of what can happen when you wield a weapon in a heated altercation.

"Despite his friendship with the victim, Wall has shown no remorse throughout these criminal proceedings and we welcome the custodial sentence.

"This was a fantastic investigation by our detectives and this footage shows the lengths we will go to in order to secure justice for victims and their families.

"Our thoughts remain with Darryl, his family and his friends at what continues to be a difficult time."