A jury has seen photos showing 23 stab wounds allegedly inflicted on a 13-year-old boy by a lesbian couple.

Richard Anelay QC, prosecuting, told the jury at Lewes Crown Court yesterday: "I apologise but they are not pleasant. That is the reality."

The court heard the boy was attacked with knives after he was sick during a party held by Gemma McGarvie and Lorraine Large at a flat in South Terrace, Littlehampton.

McGarvie, 18, and Large, 22, blamed each other for the injuries.

Photographs of the knives alleged to have been used were also shown to the jury, along with a police video recording of the flat and nearby green where it is alleged the women attacked the boy.

McGarvie and Large deny attempted murder and an alternative charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Earlier in the trial, the jury of seven women and five men heard the boy was taken out of the flat after being sick early on December 5 last year.

Mr Anelay read two accounts of what McGarvie and Large had subsequently told police.

McGarvie, of South Terrace, Littlehampton, claimed her girlfriend dragged the boy out of the flat and attacked him.

Mr Anelay said Large remained silent during her interviews but after being charged with attempted murder gave a statement saying McGarvie became angry when the boy had become sick.

She said it was McGarvie who carried out the attack.

The trial continues.