A TEENAGE father was stabbed to death through the heart while helping to protect his best friend, a court heard on Wednesday.

Sean Matson, 20, appeared at Teesside Crown Court charged with murdering Chris Cave, 17, in June.

The court heard that Mr Matson, who denies murder, ran from Mr Cave as he died, laughing and saying: "I stabbed him, I stabbed him, good".

Franz Muller, QC, prosecuting, said an argument between Mr Cave and Mr Matson, both of Redcar, occurred when Mr Matson threw stones at the window of Mr Cave's friend, Danny Armstrong, on Burnmoor Close, at about 1am on Friday, June 6.

Mr Matson, of Langthwaite Walk, called at the house asking for cannabis. Mr Armstrong refused saying he no longer smoked the drug and they argued. It was said Mr Matson left and returned minutes later with a large knife.

"Sean Matson was waving the knife. Chris Cave was in a corner kicking at the knife in a vain attempt to defend himself." said Mr Muller.

Mr Armstrong and other young men, who had seen the argument, made a desperate attempt to save him. But Mr Cave was pronounced dead at hospital about an hour later.

Mr Matson told police he could remember nothing of the incident and denies intending to hurt Mr Cave seriously. Both men had been drinking.

The case continues.