A SWISS army knife thrown at a teenage boy penetrated his skull, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

Appearing before Judge Les Spittle, a 14-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Tina Dempster, prosecuting, told the jury how on September 13, the victim and a number of his friends had gone to the home of another teenager they believed had wanted a fight.

There had, she said, been a brief exchange of words between the two youths, which had resulted in a stand-off, prompting the victim to turn and walk away.

But as he did so, the defendant, who had been standing nearby, was said to have thrown the knife, which pierced the victim's skull.

The trial continues today.