A Walton teenager stabbed to death during a fight at Hampton Court station in June was trying to make peace between two groups of youths, a court heard.

A 17-year-old youth from Mitcham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went on trial at the Old Bailey this week accused of murdering Steven Hill, 17, from Hurtmore Road on June 29.

The youth, who had earlier told police he stabbed Steven in self

defence, pleaded not guilty to murder.

The jury heard on Tuesday that the youth plunged a lock-knife into Stevens chest and held the knife there for a few seconds before running away.

Steven was rushed to Kingston Hospital, where doctors battled to save his life, but he died two hours later, at 3.30am.

The court heard that after spending that Friday evening with friends at the Streets of London pub, in East Molesey, Steven, a trainee landscape gardener, had been about to go home early. But he changed his mind and stayed with his ex-girlfriend, Charlotte Ross, and two her friends.

A quarrel started in a nearby kebab shop, between the three girls and two boys from a group from St Helier who were night-fishing at Cigarette Island.

The trouble continued in a petrol station in Hampton Court Way, before both groups ended up at Cigarette Island.

One of the girls grabbed a cap from a boys head. Mark Dennis, prosecuting, said Steven initially tried not to get involved in the incident.

He said: At this stage and for a long while Steven was at pains not to become involved, and later was seen and heard trying to diffuse the situation.

Charlotte was knocked to the ground and shouted to Steven to do something. He took out his frustration by kicking a nearby car, before chasing one of the boys into the car park, the court heard.

Mr Dennis said: There was rather futile verbal abuse, pushing and punching. But one boy decided to elevate this scuffle to a higher level.

He confronted Steven Hill, took hold of him with one hand and, with the other, stabbed him full in the chest before turning away and running

Mr Dennis said Steven died during a comparatively minor altercation.

It was an unnecessary act of violence.

There can be no justification for having produced and used a lethal weapon during a loss of temper and gratuitous aggression, he said.

Steven, who had been fatally wounded, managed to stumble on to the station concourse where he collapsed. Ambulance services arrived minutes later.

But he died from a single eight-centimetre stab wound which pierced his

heart.

The trial continues and the jury is expected to return a verdict next week.

By.Shirin Aguiar