A TEENAGER accused of murdering an asylum seeker told a court yesterday he had armed himself with a knife to protect his family.

Steven Roberts, 18, said he had not even realised he had stabbed Peiman Bahmani when he lashed out to defend himself.

Mr Roberts told a jury that the stabbing, on August 28 last year, was the climax of a day of violent tensions between Iranian asylum seekers and locals.

He said the stabbing happened after two asylum seekers armed themselves with crutches, which he thought were metal poles. He said he thought Mr Bahmani had something that looked like a belt buckle wrapped around his fist.

Mr Roberts said he returned to his mother's house in Peel Street, Sunderland, after earlier confrontations, but realised he had to go back out because his mother and family, including young children, were outside. He said: "I did not intend to use the knife or harm anybody. I just picked up the knife to try and scare the Iranians."

He said: "I thought he was going to hit me and my first reaction was to defend myself. I took a step back and put the knife out.

"I did not intend to hurt anybody. He was the first one to throw a punch and I intended to defend myself and keep him away."

Mr Roberts went to Edinburgh before handing himself in to the police.

He told the court it was not until after the attack that he realised Mr Bahmani had been stabbed.

Mr Roberts, of Morvenside, Edinburgh, denies murder. Joseph Rutherford, 23, of Gray Road, Sunderland, denies affray and racially aggravated assault and Gavin Gash, 27, of Hedworth Street, Sunderland, denies racially aggravated assault - all of the charges relate to events leading up to the death of Mr Bahmani.

Charges of violent disorder against all three were dropped after a direction by Mr Justice Henriques.

The trial continues.