A FATHER stabbed his near-neighbour to death in a dispute over children's behaviour, a York jury heard.

Police spoke to Thomas Edward Richardson, 43, about an incident involving him and youngsters shortly before he lunged with a knife through his front door and killed Andy Campbell, 40, alleged Graham Hyland QC, prosecuting.

Mr Campbell may have been trying to act as peacemaker between Richardson and the dead man's stepson James Collins in the latest in a long-running series of problems involving children and their games on a Selby estate.

"That he (Mr Campbell) became the victim makes this tragedy all the more tragic," said Mr Hyland.

Richardson, of Primrose Grove, Selby, denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. He claimed to police he acted in self-defence against a mob crying out for him to be killed.

Opening the prosecution at York Crown Court, Mr Hyland said children's football games and behaviour had caused trouble between the Richardsons, the Campbells of Hempbridge Road, and the Gaths of Primrose Grove.

"There was an atmosphere of annoyance and anger you may think amongst one or more of these neighbours on that small estate," said the barrister.

On Sunday August 5, the Gath family called police into the street after one of their children complained about Richardson's behaviour towards them.

After police left shortly after 8pm, "there occurred yet another incident in the street which led to the chain of events which culminated in Andy Campbell's senseless, you may think, and unnecessary death," said Mr Hyland.

Richardson shouted at Mr Campbell's daughter Anna when he encountered one of his neighbours telling off some children.

She told her parents and her stepbrother Mr Collins went to Richardson's home at Number Six Primrose Grove with two friends, banged on the door and when the 43-year-old man opened it took a swing at him.

Then Mr Campbell arrived.

"He went over to Number Six with a view, submit the prosecution, not to participate in any violence himself but to try to calm things down by encouraging Mr Collins to come away," alleged Mr Hyland.

According to some witnesses, Mr Campbell put himself between the Richardson's front door and Mr Collins.

"The door then opened and an arm lunged forward. It was the arm of the defendant. In his hand he had hold of this weapon," said Mr Hyland, holding up a kitchen knife for the jury to see.

"He lunged forward with that knife and unhappily it went straight into the heart of Mr Campbell."

The knife punctured a main artery leading to the heart, Mr Campbell slumped to the ground and despite mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and paramedic help, died shortly afterwards, the barrister added.

The trial continues.

Updated: 08:37 Tuesday, January 29, 2002