Kiyan 'stabbed after play fight'

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A teenager stabbed a talented young footballer through the heart then ran off, a court has heard.

Kiyan Prince, 15, was attacked as he tried to break up a play fight outside his school in Edgware, north London, in May last year.

A 17-year-old, who is too young to be named, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder.

The Old Bailey heard how the defendant got Kiyan in a headlock then knifed him in the chest and arm.

Full of promise

Nicholas Hilliard, prosecuting, told the court that Kiyan was a popular boy and was well liked among his friends.

"He was also a talented footballer who played for the Queens Park Rangers youth team.

"Clearly, he had a life full of promise ahead of him," he said.

While interviewed by the police the defendant said it was an accident and he had only intended to scratch or damage Kiyan's clothes.

Third trial

He said the knife was "like a toy I carried round every day".

But Mr Hillard said whatever it started out as, there came a point at which he took out the knife and the play fighting ended.

"He simply 'lost it'," he said.

Jurors were told that it was the third trial but Mr Hillard said: "The reasons do not matter and certainly have nothing to do with the defendant."

The case continues.