A schoolboy from Wembley has gone on trial charged with the murder of an 18-year-old who was stabbed to death in Twickenham.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of killing Jamil Palmer in a park on May 6 this year.

The Old Bailey heard the college student was attacked by five youths after a long-standing feud with a 17 year-old rival.

Both Jamil and his rival had appeared at Feltham Youth Court earlier that day on a charge of affray over a previous fight.

The prosecution claim Jamil challenged the other youth to meet him in the park where he suffered three knife wounds including a 9cm deep fatal injury to his heart during the attack.

Pathologist Robert Chapman told the court that the stab wound to the heart was inflicted with moderate force using a single-bladed knife.

He said: “It is the sort of force that might equate to a firm punch. There is some evidence the injury had been caused by a typical knife with a single sharpened edge, with the sharp edge pointed upwards.”

Asked about defensive injuries, Dr Chapman said: “Fairly often when a victim is faced with an attacker wielding a knife, it is natural for them to defend themselves.

“They will be trying to put out their hands, grasp the blade or use their arm to block the blade. There were no injuries like that here.”

Dr Chapman said the two other stab wounds ‘have not played any part in his death’.

Kishon Zelaya, 18, from Reading, Mr Palmer’s 17-year-old rival and two 16-year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their ages, are also charged with murder.

All deny murder and the alternate charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial continues.