A TEENAGER described how he punched and chased a lorry driver moments before he was stabbed to death.

The 17-year-old boy, who is accused of murdering Darren Kelly alongside three friends, told Chelmsford Crown Court the gang targeted the dad-of-one after hearing he had been messaging a teenage girl.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he had gone to co-accused Chris Carroll's house on October 20 after a day at work to hang out with a group of people, including the 16-year-old girl, who had agreed to meet up with Mr Kelly.

Giving evidence today, the teenager said: "Chris asked me if I was coming to meet this man.

"I went out with them and as we were walking along Edinburgh Way, I heard Chris say 'I've got a tool'. I didn't know what he meant, I've never heard that expression before.

"We stood at a car park and the girl went on ahead. I saw a silver Peugeot pull up and I saw the man walk to the girl.

"I went over and asked him who he was but he didn't answer. Chris and the other boy ran over and both punched him, that's when he ran off."

The gang gave chase while Carroll slashed the tyres to the Peugeot.

The 17-year-old boy was the first one to catch up with Mr Kelly in Caister Drive, Pitsea.

He the the court: "He was running away and I pushed his back with both my hands. He stopped and turned around.

"I swung a punch at him but it didn't make contact.

"I then jumped round and pulled him down by his shoulders. He was trying to get back up and by then I had stepped back because I thought that was enough.

"Then the others caught up and pushed him back down. Chris leant over him, hitting him with clenched fists, and I said 'no leave it'.

"When Chris stopped hitting him, he looked at me. He just looked angry."

At that point, the 17-year-old decided to walk off down a nearby alleyway, where he waited for the others to join him.

He said: "Chris caught up with us in the alleyway and he had a knife, I had never seen it before.

"There were a couple of patches of blood on it, he said 'don't grass' and I think he put it in his pocket."

Carroll, 20, of Pevensey Close, Pitsea, the girl and another 17-year-old boy are also on trial for murder.

Mr Kelly, 42, of Voysey Gardens, Pitsea, died from his stab wounds at Basildon Hospital hours after the attack.

The gang are alleged to have organised to ambush Mr Kelly, who had used the internet to meet women for sex, because they believed he was a paedophile.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett told the court there was no evidence to suggest Mr Kelly was interested in underage girls.

The four-week trial continues.