A man accused of murder told detectives he brandished a knife in self-defence because he feared he was about to be attacked.

Daniel Collard, 20, a bank worker from Lower Bevendean Avenue, Brighton, died after being stabbed in the heart during a violent skirmish in Southdown Avenue, Brighton, on March 22.

Derry Davis, 20, of Hillside, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, and Lee Smith, 32, of Springfield Road, Brighton, both deny murdering him.

A jury at Lewes Crown Court has heard how Mr Collard was part of a group vandalising cars as they walked along Springfield Road after a night at a pub. One of the cars belonged to Davis.

In an interview with police after his arrest, Davis told officers he was visiting Smith, who saw Mr Collard and his friends causing damage to cars parked in the road.

Davis said he and Smith went out to confront the group. He picked up a kitchen knife as he left the flat but said he had no intention of harming anyone. He said he had no idea he had injured anyone until he saw there was blood on the blade.

He panicked and ran off. The police arrested him three days later in London, where he had bought an air ticket to Jamaica.

Davis has also denied attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Thomas Wright, a friend of Mr Collard's. The trial continues.