An argument over access to children led to a father being stabbed to death after he made threats with a pair of scissors, a court heard.

Ronnie Smith had gone to the Gravesend home of Joe Chuter and Tasha Wakefield while acting as an “intermediary” regarding access to his younger brother’s children.

When he arrived at the house in Taunton Vale on a July evening last year he threatened the couple with the scissors, a jury was told.

He was pushed out by the couple, but 28-year-old Chuter grabbed a knife from the mantelpiece and stabbed Mr Smith, 31, three times, it was alleged. A wound to the abdomen proved fatal.

Maidstone Crown Court was told Mr Smith’s brother George, 27, had two children with Miss Wakefield, 28, and they would argue over access.

They had separated in 2016 and Miss Wakefield started a relationship with Chuter. Arguments over George’s access to their children then started.

On Saturday, July 21, there was a problem with George seeing the children and Ronnie, a 6ft 3in tall security officer at Gatwick Airport, went to the house to speak to Miss Wakefield about it.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC said only Chuter and Miss Wakefield could give an account of what then happened.

The mother-of-three said she was in a park with her children in the afternoon and she saw George. He was rude to her and when she returned home she received a phone call from Ronnie.

“She said that George had been rude to her and she didn’t want him to see the children next day. She received text messages from Ronnie saying George would pick up the kids on Sunday.

“She replied saying she didn’t want him to have the children. Shortly after the text between them, Ronnie arrived at their address.”

Mr Smith had driven from his home in Staplehurst and parked his car in St Alban’s Close. He then walked to the house.

Tasha was in the living room with Chuter, who was holding their young child.

Tasha said Mr Smith walked in and said: “I ain’t going to be nice no more. Is he allowed to see his kids, or do I have to beat this ----?”

She continued that Mr Smith took out scissors from his pocket, held it to Chuter’s throat and asked: “Is he allowed to see the kids or am I going to beat this ---- up?”

Chuter told him to go away and Tasha said she told him to get out. She took the child from Chuter. She said she tried to push Mr Smith away and he hit her.

She and Chuter pushed him out of the front door. Mr Smith put his foot in the door. Chuter, she said, then ran out and she shut the door. From upstairs, she saw Mr Smith running away.

George Smith was at a nearby friend’s house and saw his brother’s car rolling down the hill before coming to rest in St Patrick’s Gardens. He ran over and found Ronnie slumped in the car.

He was bleeding and unconscious. Police found the scissors with his blood on them in his pocket.

He was taken to King’s College Hospital in London, but died the following morning. The fatal wound, which was 1cm wide and 7cm deep, was to the left side of his abdomen.

He also had stab wounds to the left side of his face, which had damaged his skull, and his right palm, which could have been a defensive injury.

Chuter, of Taunton Vale, denies murder, claiming he acted in self-defence.

The trial continues.