Family and friends of a murderer and his victim clashed outside a courthouse after the killer's sentencing was adjourned.

Aaron Aymer, 18, was convicted in April of stabbing carpenter David Stunell in the throat at the Seven Dials, Brighton, last July.

In angry scenes outside Lewes Crown Court yesterday Aymer's family rowed with Mr Stunell's friends, who were waiting for news of the sentencing in the White Hart Hotel opposite.

One of the group, believed to be among Aymer's supporters, was even heard to make a mobile phone call asking for back-up in the event of further trouble.

He said: "Get everyone down to Whitehawk now. Let's get some respect back." Asked by one of Mr Stunell's relatives to calm down, he replied: "It's all going to happen again."

Moments later Mr Stunell's mother Carol broke down on the court steps amid claims from Aymer's group that the teenager acted in self-defence.

One of Aymer's supporters claimed he had a cigarette stubbed out in his face but police said they had not received a complaint.

Sussex Police were called and spoke to Aymer's family. Officers were also on standby in case Aymer's supporters travelled to Whitehawk.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Police are aware of the altercation that took place at Lewes Crown Court."

Gang member Aymer, from Wapping, east London, was convicted of killing Mr Stunell in an unprovoked attack. During the three-week trial jurors heard how Aymer was a knife-obsessed convicted criminal who hid weapons around his flat and secretly stashed them in his girlfriend's home.

Mr Stunell, 22, of Desmond Way, Brighton, was killed when he went to visit his sister Hayley, 19, at her home in Vernon Terrace because he was concerned about her relationship with Aymer.

Mr Stunell approached Aymer, who was sitting in a car, and was stabbed in the neck. He bled to death in his mother's arms.

Aymer's criminal career began in 2004 when he wounded his victim with a knife during a street fight.

He has numerous related convictions and was made the subject of an Asbo.

In March last year he committed his first offence in Brighton when he was involved in a fight in a pub in Ship Street.

Days before the murder he slashed a man's face with a kitchen knife and stabbed him in the back during a confrontation in Russell Square, Brighton.

His sentencing has been adjourned until July 22 pending psychiatric reports from Feltham Prison.