Knifeman found guilty of murder after attacking rival in the street
A knifeman who fatally attacked a rival during a vicious street fight has been found guilty of murder.
Mohammed Rahman, 43, clashed with Alan Stokoe outside the home of Laura McGee, who had been involved in relationships with both men before the violent altercation took place.
During the fight Mr Stokoe received a blow to the neck from a knife, causing a vital artery and vein to sever, which led to his death.
Rahman, of Eamont Gardens, Hartlepool, denied murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, but was convicted of both by jurors at Newcastle Crown Court.
Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC had previously told the court that Rahman was in an "onoff" relationship with McGee and Mr Stokoe was also a former partner of hers.
On the morning of July 21 last year, Mr Stokoe entered Melville Street, in Chesterle-Street, where McGee lived, with a "knife in one hand and a mobile phone in the other".
Rahman emerged from McGee's home with a large kitchen knife before retreating back inside after seeing Mr Stokoe change direction.
However, the victim then returned to walk back towa rd s th e h ou s e a n d wa s spotted by Rahman, and both men ran to meet each other.
T h e v io l e nt k n i fe f i g ht then ensued which ended in
the 26-year-old victim receiving the fatal blow to the neck, before Rahman walked back inside the house, placing the knife in the sink.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Mr Stokoe, who had a wound which severed both internal
carotid arteries and both internal jugular veins.
A path o l og i s t c o n c lud - ed his death was caused as a result of the wound, which caused "massive" blood loss.
Jurors were told Rahman, who insisted he was trying to defend himself, had come up with a "pack of lies" to get himself out of trouble and deflect the blame onto Mr Stokoe.
Kirsty Barrass, who lived on the street where the murder happened said she was woken in the early hours of the evening by a noise, "like a thud".
Miss Barrass, who called 999, said the man on the ground had "something dark, like blood or something running out of him" and she went outside and tried to alert other neighbours.
A s s h e ap p roac h e d M r Stokoe on the ground, she was met by Rahman and she asked him what happened to which he said "he's come to my house with two knives, he stabbed me so I've stabbed him".
Rahman later told jurors he was "fighting for his life" and that Mr Stokoe had ran towards him making a "charging noise".
After the jury returned their verdict Judge Goss told Rahman he would be sentenced next Monday.
Judge James Goss also revealed McGee had previously admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, in information that was kept from jurors.
He told the defendant: "Mr Rahman you have been convicted by the jury to murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. As you will know the sentence for the offence of murder must be imprisonment for life.
"However, I have to determine the minimum term you will serve before you can be eligible for release on licence.
"You will of course remain in custody."