Actor 'did not attack' defendant

Rob Knox, (right), was trying to protect his brother, the court heard

A Harry Potter actor who was fatally stabbed did not smash a bottle over the head of his alleged killer, the Old Bailey has been told.

Tarik Ozresberoglu said Rob Knox, 18, was "unarmed" and confronted accused killer Karl Bishop "like a man".

Mr Knox, of Swanley in Kent, was stabbed five times outside Metro Bar in Sidcup, south-east London.

Mr Bishop, 21, from Sidcup, denies murder in May 2008 and five charges of wounding.

He went over there like a man, with nothing in his hand, not with knives Tarik Ozresberoglu, witness

Mr Bishop, of Beaver Lodge, Carlton Road, said he was acting in self-defence. Five others were also stabbed in the row.

Mr Knox was stabbed as he tried to defend his younger brother Jamie from the defendant, the court heard.

Giving evidence Mr Ozresberoglu said he had tried to hold his friend back when the row began.

Witness warned

Responding to a suggestion from Ian Bourne, QC, that the actor had smashed a bottle over Mr Bishop's head, he said: "He went over there like a man, with nothing in his hand, not with knives.

"He (Mr Bishop) did everything. Everyone that got stabbed, he did it," Mr Ozresberoglu said.

Then turning to Mr Bourne he said: "I don't know how you can defend him, a criminal.

"I'd rather be a dustman, a man's job, than do what you do."

He added: "Look at him there laughing, that clown over there, absolute clown."

Mr Justice Bean warned Mr Ozresberoglu that he could be taken down to the court cells adding that the barrister was "doing his job".

The trial continues.

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