Connor Brown murder trial: Passer-by talked to teen after he was stabbed five times in Sunderland alleyway

Connor Brown, 18, died after he had been stabbed five times in the chest and back in a Sunderland city alleyway in February.

Newcastle Crown Court has heard the teen, who had been on a night out, had bravely stepped in when knifeman Leighton Barrass threatened to stab members of the public in a revenge attack after he had been punched on the nose buy another man.

It is claimed Barrass's pal Ally Gordon joined in the fatal attack by "encouraging and assisting" Barrass by "kicking and stamping" on Connor.

Barrass, 20, of Hartside Square and Gordon, 20, of Polmuir Road, both Sunderland, deny murder and are being tried by a jury.

On the fourth day of the trial, which started last week, several passers-by said they initially did not realise how serious Connor’s injuries were.

Jurors have now seen a video recording of Dylan Ashworth being interviewed by detectives, Mr Ashworth said he was out in the city that night and saw "lots of commotion" involving an unknown number of people in the alleyway.

He told police he saw "there was a lot of blood" but added: "I presumed it was a burst nose or burst lip at the time."

Mr Ashworth said as he headed towards Gatsbys bar he heard a girl say someone had been stabbed.

He added: "I said he hasn't been stabbed, he had been in a fight, don't worry about it."

But Mr Ashworth said he started to realise "it didn't seem right" and added: "I saw him lying on the floor. He stumbled and was lying on the floor.

"That's whey I went over to see if he was alright on the floor and that's when I was talking to him, to see if he was alright."

Mr Ashworth said "about 30 seconds later" and ambulance arrived.

Chelsea Thompson, who had also been out in the city that night told jurors: "I don't think anyone realised the seriousness."

She added: "I just thought it was fists."

The trial continues.