X-RAYS showing how a Swiss army knife had penetrated a teenager's skull up to the hilt, entering his brain, were shown to a jury yesterday.

The x-rays were produced in the trial at Teesside Crown Court of a 14-year-old boy accused of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has denied the charge in the hearing, before Judge Les Spittle.

Tina Dempster, prosecuting, told the court earlier how on September 13 the victim and some of his friends had gone to the home of another teenager they believed was looking for a fight. There had been an exchange of words which ended with the victim turning and walking away.

Miss Dempster said that it was then that the defendant, who was standing nearby, had thrown a knife which pierced the victim's skull.

Yesterday, in a written statement, medical evidence was provided by a consultant neuro-surgeon who said the knife had penetrated the boy's skull and brain, causing a potentially very serious injury.

However, the boy had recovered well.

Home Office pathologist Dr James Sunter, using illuminated x-ray plates, told the jury how the blade had gone through the teenager's skull, and slightly into his brain.

Asked what degree of force would have been needed for the knife to have caused such an injury, Dr Sunter said there would have to have been "moderate force".

The trial continues today.