A bank worker who was part of a group vandalising vehicles died after being knifed in the heart by a car owner, a court has been told.

Daniel Collard, 20, died after he and his friends had become embroiled in a violent row with two unemployed car owners, who now stand accused of his murder.

Derry Davis, 20, of Hillside, Moulsecoomb, and Lee Smith, 32, of Springfield Road, Brighton, both deny the charge. Davis has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Thomas Wright, a friend of Mr Collard's.

Anthony Davis QC, prosecuting, told a jury at Lewes Crown Court that Mr Collard, of Lower Bevendean Avenue, Brighton, and three friends had spent the evening drinking in the Hare and Hounds pub at Preston Circus, Brighton.

They were walking to one of the group's home in Southdown Avenue, where the stabbing took place on March 22.

Mr Davis described the group's behaviour that night as loud and loutish.

As they walked along, wing mirrors were kicked off parked cars, including a vehicle belonging to Derry Davis.

One member of the group, Terence Duran, realised he had lost his mobile phone, which had fallen out of his pocket. They then saw Smith rush into a house in Springfield Road, where he had a bedsit. Davis was staying with him.

Mr Davis said the group mistakenly came to the conclusion that Smith had picked up the missing phone.

Mr Collard punched a glass panel in the door but the group realised they had gone too far and quickly retreated.

Meanwhile, said Mr Davis, the two defendants decided to follow the group. Davis picked up a 7in kitchen knife and Smith armed himself with a pair of mole grips.

Mr Davis said there was a skirmish, during which Mr Collard collapsed after being stabbed. He died later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Mr Davis said the two defendants fled the scene and the knife was dumped in a garden hedge nearby.

Davis told detectives he had acted in self-defence.

The trial continues.