Darren Parker murder trial: West Bromwich father 'stabbed by step-son's neighbour in row over stolen TV'

Darren Parker was killed as he tried to defend his step-son at a block of flats in West Bromwich, a jury was told.

Mr Parker, who was 43, told Sean Varden 'I'm dying' as he staggered away from the flat in Campville Crescent, Stone Cross, with blood gushing from his chest, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Demarco Martin, aged 19, denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

He also denies the attempted murder of Mr Varden and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

On the first day of the trial, the jury was told how Mr Varden had discovered his TV had been stolen from his flat at around 2.30pm on April 6.

Mr Parker had arrived to help search the flat, the court heard.

Mr Varden went to see if his next-door neighbour Martin knew anything about it, Mr Richard Atkins QC, prosecuting, told the jury.

He said: "Sean Varden asked if he had taken the TV. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Demarco Martin had what he described as an army-style knife.

"Sean Varden said 'what are you going to do with that?' at which point Demarco Martin pulled it back out and stabbed Sean Varden."

Mr Parker ran to his aid, the jury heard.

Mr Varden, who suffered a collapsed lung, told police Martin lunged towards Mr Parker 'in a stabbing motion'.

Blood was said to be pouring from his chest 'like a hose' as he stumbled away collapsing nearby.

Paramedics battled to save him but he was pronounced dead at 3.15pm.

The teenage defendant claims Mr Parker and Mr Varden burst into his home armed with weapons.

Mr Atkins said no injuries were found on Martin.

Mr Parker had arrived in Campville Crescent with his five-year-old granddaughter while the young children of Mr Varden's girlfriend were in a car nearby.

Mr Atkins said: "If they were going to Demarco Martin's flat mob-handed, why would you have children with you?"

The trial continues.