An alleged killer has told a court how he realised he was being followed by a group of young people as he walked a girl home on an unlit path one-night last year.

The 15-year-old, then aged 14, told a murder trial jury that at the time he was carrying a kitchen knife which he had taken with him that evening, placing it in a pocket of his body warmer.

He was giving evidence at his trial at Newcastle Crown Court, where he is accused of the murder of Tomasz Oleszak.

The defendant is alleged to have stabbed Tomasz on a path known as The Lines, in Whitehills Nature Park, off Springwell Estate, Gateshead, shortly after 8pm, on Monday October 3, last year.

Read more: Witness gives evidence over Tomasz Oleszak stabbing in Gateshead park

Tomasz, 14, suffered a single stab wound to the chest, but his death, in hospital, was only confirmed the following day.

During the incident a second knife blow was said to have been aimed at a friend of Tomasz, who managed to step backwards to avoid contact with the blade, which ripped his coat.

The accused boy has admitted possession of a bladed article in public but denies murder and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, with intent.

Giving evidence, the accused teenager said he had been aware of a group of young people, who he did not know, gathered near the park the previous evening, Sunday, October 2, as he walked with the girl.

He said as he left home the following evening he took a small knife from the kitchen and placed it in the front pocket of his body warmer.

The accused said that after meeting the girl at a community centre he began to walk her home, using the path known as The Lines.

Read more: Youth denies alleged killer of Tomasz Oleszak was followed into park

He said before reaching The Lines several young people ran past him and the girl at one stage and a short time later, as they were walking along the unlit path, he became aware of a group apparently following behind.

Questioned by defence counsel Peter Makepeace KC, the teenager said the girl accompanying him told him: “Look behind, they’re following us.”

He said he turned his head and could make out figures and shadows, but he could not see them clearly, although he assumed it was the same group that passed them earlier.

The teenager said he heard a whistling noise, but he did not pay any attention to it (the whistling).

Asked about the size of the following group, he said there were seven or eight of them.

He said he and the girl kept walking, but then someone came up to him with a shining torch.

The accused said he looked behind again as the group was getting closer, and he saw one of them handing a bag over to someone else.

He told the court: “Then, I heard words like: ‘Going to hit him’.”

Asked by Mr Makepeace how he then felt, he told the court: “Very scared at this point. I knew something was going to happen.”

Read next:

* Friend at scene of Gateshead killing of Tomasz Oleszak gives evidence

* Tomasz Oleszak murder trial: Teenager accused of Gateshead killing

* Boy, 15, to stand trial in March over Gateshead death of Tomasz

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As the accused was then becoming emotional, the judge, Mr Justice Martin Spencer, adjourned the hearing and said he could resume giving his evidence tomorrow (Wednesday April 5).

Earlier, after taking the stand, the defendant was asked by Mr Makepeace if he had either previously met Tomasz or heard of him and he replied: “No.”

Proceeding.