Man stabbed in 'final act' of long-running dispute

Andrew Darn worked for a garage door company on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate

A man was stabbed to death at a business park where he worked in the "final act" of a long-running dispute with a sandwich shop worker, a court has been told.

Andrew Darn died in March after an incident on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate in North Shields, North Tyneside.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 35-year-old was knifed by Alder Willis, with whom there had allegedly been tension stretching back to 2010 following a row over parking.

Mr Willis, 68, of Allanville, Camperdown, is charged with murder and possession of a pointed article.

Emergency services were called to the estate at about 08:40 GMT on 27 March.

Members of the public performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but Mr Darn, of North Shields, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Francis FitzGibbon KC said Mr Darn and Mr Willis worked for companies that were "next-door neighbours".

Mr Darn was employed by Easy Access Garage Doors, while Mr Willis worked at The Deli.

Mr FitzGibbon said the stabbing was "the final act in a history of long-standing antagonism", telling the court trouble had escalated the day before.

Emergency services were called to the trading estate on 27 March

The jury was shown CCTV from inside Mr Darn's car, which he was driving that afternoon.

The prosecution told the court he was being followed by Mr Willis in his van.

The jury was then shown CCTV from the following day, which the prosecution said showed Mr Darn throwing a punch at Mr Willis and Mr Willis stabbing him.

Mr Darn then walked to his car where he died, the court heard.

The trial continues.