THE trial of a man accused of murdering Rob Knox and stabbing five of his friends is drawing to a close.

This afternoon (Feb 26), an Old Bailey jury heard Judge David Bean go over evidence given of the events which preceded the stabbings.

Karl Bishop, aged 21, is accused of murdering Mr Knox outside the Metro Bar, Station Road, Sidcup, in the early hours of May 24 last year.

One week before, Bishop had been involved in a fight with Mr Knox and some of his friends outside the same bar.

Witnesses agree that the fight started after Bishop began accusing people of stealing his mobile phone.

Mr Knox's friend Dean Saunders was punched in the face by Bishop before others, including Mr Knox, became involved.

Some witnesses told the court that later they had seen Bishop, who had come off worse from the fight, armed with a piece of wood, goading the group.

And stab victim Charley Grimley told the court Bishop had said: "I'm going to come back next week and someone's going to die."

The judge told the jury that, although the incident was background to the stabbings, it was important to both the prosecution, showing Bishop as the aggressor, and defence, who believe it shows Bishop as the victim.

On the night of May 23 there was another fight between Bishop and some of Mr Knox's friends outside the bar.

Accounts varied over how many people were eventually involved but the fight began when blows were exchanged between Mr Knox's friend Sammy Mehmet and the defendant.

Several witnesses have claimed Mr Knox tried to break up the fight on this occasion but others say he was also throwing punches.

Defence lawyer Ian Bourne, who says his client was acting in self-defence, claims this fight happened as a result of a pre-arranged plan by Mr Knox and his friends.

Finally, the judge reminded the jury of an encounter with Bishop by Mr Knox's brother Jamie and friends Callum Turner, Scott Shorter and Nicky Lee Jones outside Tesco Express around midnight.

The four claim they were threatened with a knife on that occasion and they then rushed to the bar to warn people Bishop was coming back.

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

The trial continues.