A teenager has denied being involved in any attack on a man who was stabbed to death when two groups of friends clashed with fatal violence.
The teenager admits that he wrested a wooden stick from a man trying to hit him before using it to smash up a car belonging to one of the opposing group.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with murder after dad-of-two Craig Yorke died in the early hours of December 14 last year.
The 28-year-old was stabbed three times moments after he started hitting a rival’s car with an African walking stick, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Five people were charged with the murder of Mr Yorke, including Jack Lawson, Marley Roles, Connor Vint, Harry Brown and the unnamed teenager.
The violent clash happened after a running feud between Jack Lawson and Jack Richardson descended into fatal violence in the early hours of the morning.
During cross examination from prosecution junior counsel, Katherine Robinson, the teenager said he managed to grab the stick off his attacker but he could not say whether it was Mr Yorke or another male.
The teenager denied that he was able to grab the stick off his attacker while he was being stabbed by his co-accused Lawson.
She asked: “Did you join in a group attack on Jack Richardson’s group?” He replied: “Yes, on the car.”
Ms Robinson asked: “When you told the jury that you were embarrassed and ashamed of your behaviour, is that a lie?” He replied: “No.”
She asked: “Is it the truth that you enjoyed this? And that is why you videoed yourself screaming and smashing up the car.” Again, he replied: “No.”
She continued: “Did you take that video and post it, to show your group was more violent than their group?” He replied: “No.”
Ms Robinson asked: “Have you told lies to this jury to make it sound like you didn’t want to be involved?” The teenager replied: “No.”
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Jurors had heard how the 28-year-old arrived in Eldon Lane in Mr Richardson’s car after several hours of cat-and-mouse with the intended foe - Jack Lawson.
18-year-old Lawson, of Willington, has admitted the charge of manslaughter but denies Mr Yorke’s murder.
His co-accused, Vint, 18, of North Bitchburn, Crook, 20-year-old Roles, of Willington, Brown, 19, of Willington, and the 17-year-old, all deny murder and manslaughter.
The trial continues.
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