Teenage murder suspect was 'quite upset' after stabbing victim

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he had also drunk alcohol for the first time earlier in the day and was on his way to buy cigarettes when he claims he was attacked.

The court was told how the incident led to the death of Lukasz Furmanek, aged 24, while Radoslaw Dudek was left clinging to life after both were stabbed in Handsworth.

Abdullah Atiqzoy, 18, of Elizabeth Crescent, Oldbury and the 16-year-old boy each deny murder and attempted murder.

Feizullah Atiqzoy, 24, of Swan Crescent, Oldbury, has pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender.

Giving evidence at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, the 16-year-old claimed Mr Furmanek had approached him and called him racist names before stumbling and dropping a knife he was carrying.

The teenager said he picked up the knife but was still afraid of being attacked by the Polish man.

He said: "Mr Furmanek pulled something out from his waist area but I could not see what it was.

"I was moving back towards the road, he stumbled and then dropped the knife in front of me.

"It was the first time I became aware of the knife and I picked it up before he did.

"It was just trying to scare him off because he was drunk and aggressive and still wanted to fight me.

"I still have the knife and it's in my hand.

"I think I got within reach and he was ready to hit me but I hit him first, with the knife, just once.

"He fell to the floor and I knew I had stabbed him. I bent over to look at the wound and then just walked away."

The court heard the teenager came back soon after and kicked Mr Furmanek in the head or shoulder area before returning to his friend's flat with Abdullah Atiqzoy.

He said: "I was quite upset. I washed the knife, left it on the table and went to sleep after a while."

The trial continues.