A 21-YEAR-OLD man accused of killing Rob Knox was having second thoughts about his actions before the fatal incident, a court has heard.

Karl Bishop is accused of killing Mr Knox and wounding five others while armed with two knives during a fight outside the Metro Bar, Station Road, Sidcup, on May 24 last year.

But when Bishop arrived at the Metro Bar and had a conversation with bouncer Musa Balogun, defence lawyer Ian Bourne said his client was having second thoughts.

In his closing statement, Mr Bourne told the Old Bailey today (Feb 26): "Mr Bishop told you he was beginning to get cold feet.

"He was beginning to change his mind because it was beginning to dawn on him that he had made a big mistake and this would only end in trouble."

But the defence claims Bishop was surrounded by anywhere between 10 and 60 people coming out the fire exit and over the bar's smoking area railings, before he could escape.

Bishop says he was acting in self-defence and only began stabbing after being attacked by what Mr Bourne described as a "team" of people.

Going back over the evidence given regarding the tragic events that evening, Mr Bourne highlighted four "independent witnesses" who all said Bishop had put his knives away before Mr Knox's friend Andrew Dormer struck the first blow.

Mr Bourne said: "How could that be right if his intention was to stab and cause grevious bodily harm and to kill?

"We submit that it's clear from the evidence we have heard he had second thoughts upon reflection - that he made a mistake."

He went on: "Almost every witness agreed he was standing still and that the attackers came at him."

Mr Bourne pointed out witness statements that Mr Knox was being held back by friends.

He said: "Moments could have avoided the bloodbath that followed."

And he went on: "Anger was not confined to Mr Bishop that night."

Before beginning his summing up of the case, Judge David Bean told the jury they must not let sympathy for Mr Knox's family cloud their judgement.

He said: "It is not about whether you feel sympathy for Robert Knox's parents and family.

"You wouldn't be human if you didn't but it is not relevant to your decision."

He advised them that, instead of finding Bishop guilty or not guilty of murder and wounding with intent, they could find him guilty of manslaughter or unlawful wounding.

Judge Bean told them that for Bishop to be guilty of murder he would need to have the intention to kill or cause really serious injury to Mr Knox.

And he advised that, when considering self-defence, the jury must agree the defendant thought it necessary to use force to defend himself and weigh up whether the type and amount of force used was reasonable.

Bishop, of Beaver Lodge, Carlton Road, Sidcup, denies murder and five counts of wounding with intent.

The trial continues.