A TEENAGER bled to death after he was stabbed in the back by a friend at his 18th birthday party, a court was told yesterday.

David Mitchell, 18, took a kitchen knife, which had been used to cut cannabis, and plunged it into Paul Best after a row.

Paul had been celebrating his birthday at his home in Easington, County Durham, with Mr Mitchell and three other young men, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

But a few cross words between the friends turned to violence, said Brian Forster, prosecuting. "The boys had consumed some alcohol celebrating the birthday," he said. "They had smoked some cannabis.

"There was some conversation between the defendant and Paul Best. The defendant jumped up from the arm chair in which he had been sitting and grabbed hold of Paul Best.

"The defendant picked up a kitchen knife, which was out on the hearth in the room.

"The defendant was asked to put the knife down but did not do so. He grabbed hold of Paul Best and stabbed him in the back when he was bent forward."

The blade plunged five inches into his back, passed through the lower lobe of his right lung and punctured his aorta - the body's main artery.

Dean Pearce, 21, who was at the party, told police: "David picked up the kitchen knife . . . and held it by his side with the blade pointing out.

"Paul got up out of the chair and said something like, 'Put the knife down and don't be stupid'.

"At this, David went for Paul, grabbing him around his neck with his left arm, putting his head into David's chest.

"I then saw David raise his right hand . . . David then struck down hard and fast with the knife, stabbing Paul right in the middle of his back.

"David then pulled the knife back out."

Paul was pronounced dead at his home in North Crescent, Easington, when emergency services arrived a short time later.

Mr Mitchell, also of North Crescent, denies murder on February 13 last year. The trial continues.