KNIFE death victim Nicholas Pearton tried to fend off his attacker with a bike saddle, a court has heard.

Nicholas, 16, was stabbed to death on May 5 last year after being chased through Home Park Recreation Ground in Sydenham.

Six boys, aged 14 to 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are on trial at the Old Bailey charged with his murder.

All six defendants deny the charges.

Jurors have heard the killing may have been sparked by a rivalry between two gangs, Shanks and Guns, or S & G, and the Black Mafia, also known as the Sydenham Boys.

John Elson who was stuck in traffic told the court he saw a black boy and a white boy run in front of his car.

He said the white boy looked "pale and clammy" and was carrying a bike saddle.

Mr Elson said: "The two males jumped in front of the car. The white male was swinging the bike seat around towards the black male. They were backing up to the centre of the road.

He added: "At that point I saw the black male with a knife. He was thrusting it forward towards the white male."

He told the court that he saw the black boy lunge towards the white boy with the knife twice.

Jurors heard that it looked like a kitchen knife with an eight inch blade and a black handle.

Mr Elson added: "The black male looked very aggressive, he was moving backwards but he was still quite aggressive and shouted out 'what?' a couple of times."

Edward Brown, prosecuting, asked how the white boy seemed.

Mr Elson said: "He looked quite scared. He was waving the saddle to try and fend off (his attacker) and move away."

The trial continues.