AN ALLEGED murderer screamed after he stabbed his victim, a jury heard.

Joanne Wilson and Denise Abrahart-Quanbrough were giving evidence in the trial of fellow Primrose Grove resident Thomas Edward Richardson, 43.

Mrs Abrahart-Quanbrough said that as she drove slowly along the street on August 5, she saw James Collins, Andy Campbell and a third man shouting and banging on Richardson's door.

She saw it open slightly and a hand "wave" before she drove out of view on to her drive.

"I heard a voice shouting 'You have stabbed him, you bastard". It sounded like James," she told York Crown Court.

As she walked towards the house, she saw Mr Campbell bleeding on the ground receiving first-aid and she heard Richardson make a sound like a scream.

Richardson, denies murdering Mr Campbell and also denies an alternative charge of manslaughter.

The jury heard that he let Mrs Wilson into the house as the victim was lying on the ground.

She arrived after speaking to a child in distress.

"He said 'What would you have done if three or four men came at you,'" she told the court.

Unprompted, Richardson told her he had stabbed someone and showed her a large kitchen knife on a working top in front of his microwave.

The jury has seen a photograph showing a bloodstain on the working top.

Richardson was shaken, Mrs Wilson said. As she left, police arrived and she thought he broke down and cried.

Peter Holt said he heard Richardson swear at children a few days before the stabbing.

He was speaking to his good friend and neighbour, Mr Campbell, on August 5 when they heard banging and Mr Campbell said he had better fetch Mr Collins home. He then walked across towards the Richardson house.

Primrose Grove resident Brian Lofthouse said he was telling off a boy about swearing when a strange man with a dog approached and commented unfavourably about children on the estate.

Youngsters nearby answered him back.

The stranger, allegedly Richardson, said he was getting up a petition to the council about children.

Eight children have given evidence against him including some who say they saw the stabbing.

The trial continues.

Updated: 11:39 Friday, February 01, 2002