Teenagers deny murdering dad-of-four outside his home

Nathaniel Wardle died outside his home in Holy Cross, Wallsend

Three teenagers have denied murdering a father-of-four who died when he was attacked outside his home.

Nathaniel Wardle, 43, known as Natty, died in St Hilda's Avenue, Wallsend, North Tyneside, on 20 June.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Mohammed Rabani, 18, pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted a charge of possessing a bladed article.

Two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be identified because of their ages, also pleaded not guilty to murder.

One pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article and the other pleaded not guilty to carrying an offensive weapon, an axe.

Mr Wardle's family had previously described him as "an incredibly funny man, who always looked to make others smile and his generosity was known by so many".

'Armed themselves'

Opening the prosecution case, Sharon Beattie KC said Mr Wardle had arrived back from a trip to a local shop with one of his children.

She said "within seconds" he was subjected to an "unprovoked attack" in his front garden by Mohammed Rabani and the two 17-year-olds.

The jury was told that Mr Wardle was stabbed twice in the heart and once in the abdomen.

The severity of the attack meant he died "within seconds" despite the efforts of neighbours to help him, the court heard.

Miss Beattie told the court that Mohammed Rabani and one of the 17-year-olds "armed themselves" with knives and the other 17-year-old had an axe with him.

They were she said "not banking on a fair fight".

The trial continues.