A MAN was stabbed in a street fight after challenging an acquaintance he believed had beaten up his female friend, a court heard today (Tuesday, May 28).

Peter Walsh, 25, was left bleeding in a Stockton street after being stabbed by Kevin Bulmer on Thursday, January 3.

The attack happened shortly after Mr Walsh interrupted a “heated” telephone conversation between Mr Bulmer and his girlfriend.

According to evidence heard at Teesside Crown Court, Mr Bulmer’s girlfriend had fled to Mr Walsh’s home after arguing with her partner, telling Mr Walsh and others that he had been abusive towards her.

Mr Walsh, giving evidence, said he had intervened after repeated phone calls between the couple left the woman in tears.

He admitted challenging Mr Bulmer, of Hartington Road, Stockton, to a fight over the phone. 

Both men left their homes after the telephone conversation and confronted each other on Hartington Road at around 7.30pm.

CCTV footage shown to jurors captured Mr Bulmer, 25, lunging at Mr Walsh and stabbing him before fleeing the scene.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, accused Mr Walsh of being a violent man who was willing to use violence to intervene in the business of others.

He said: “All that happened is somebody hit you first and you did not get the opportunity to hit back. Somebody got in before you did.”

Mr Walsh replied: “He stabbed me first, but yes.”

Mr Bulmer pleaded guilty to one count of wounding and another of possessing an offensive weapon. He denies wounding with intent. The trial continues tomorrow.