A MAN who stabbed his nephew told the 999 operator he was "gutted" at what he had done, a court heard.

Stephen Cochran called the emergency services in the early hours of April 13 this year after he stabbed his nephew Melvin, 32.

When asked by the 999 operator if the patient was breathing, the 41-year-old, of Wilbury Gardens, Hove, said: "No, he just attacked me so I stabbed him," Lewes Crown Court heard yesterday.

In the 999 recording which was played in court, he added: "I stabbed him in his side, just the one stab. It was quite a big knife, about eight inches or more.

"He attacked me as I was coming into my flat. It was like a burglary."

When asked to check again if the victim was breathing, he said: "I don't want to check, he's my nephew. I'm gutted. I stabbed him. It's dark."

Stephen Cochran denies attempted murder and wounding with intent, claiming self defence.

Melvin had broken up with his girlfriend Tracey Doherty the day before, and Stephen had been drinking Guinness when he visited her and her friend, the court heard.

She told the court Stephen threatened to stab Melvin. She added:"I thought he was joking and it was the drink talking. I should of called it in, I feel guilty."

On the first day of the trial on Monday, the jury heard Stephen had threatened his cousin over the way he treated Miss Doherty.

She said in court that Melvin would beat her and abuse her verbally.

PC Stuart Brown told how he found Melvin seriously wounded on the sofa in a "pool of blood."

The trial continues.