A GUEST at a New Year's Eve party told a jury yesterday how he saw his brother-in-law pick up a kitchen knife as he fought with another man.

Ronald Wright said he saw Carl Portis pick up the knife in the kitchen and then lunge forward a couple of times towards Christopher Durr.

He told a jury at Teesside Crown Court it was as though he were watching it in slow motion.

Mr Wright said: "Carl threw the knife back towards the benches, to get rid of it, he didn't want it. There was a blank look on his face. He just stood there looking. He never uttered a word at all."

Mr Durr, a father-of-four, from The Garth, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, collapsed dying from a six-inch stab wound through the heart.

Portis, 36, of Shandon Park, Coulby Newham, is charged with murder. He has denied the charge.

The court had been told there had been a party at Mr Portis' home to celebrate the New Year, but an argument broke out between Mr Portis and his sister Tracey when children walked into the house from the garden with soil on their shoes.

Mr Wright said Portis called an end to the party and an argument broke out between him and his sister. Her partner, Mr Durr, then became involved. The two men were parted but began to fight again in the kitchen.

The case continues.