by Julia Roberts

A dying man who was stabbed twice in the chest and struck to the head with a hammer was able to dial 999 and name his jealous cousin as his attacker, a court heard today.

Father-of-two Steven Bygrave repeated the allegation to paramedics and police as they battled to save his life on the kitchen floor at his home in Oak Road, Murston, in June last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Bygrave, 36, was even able to demonstrate that the knife used by 32-year-old Robert Bygrave to wound him had a blade about 9in long.

However, his condition deteriorated rapidly and doctors were forced to operate on his chest as he still lay on the floor.

Prosecutor Eleanor Laws said medics tried to resuscitate Mr Bygrave for 25 minutes but he was eventually pronounced dead. He had suffered two lacerations to his heart and two to a lung.

Within minutes of his cousin's death, Robert Bygrave was arrested at his home in Terrace Road, Sittingbourne. He was still wearing jogging bottoms and trainers which were stained with his cousin's blood.

The court heard feelings had been "running high" in the build-up to the fatal stabbing as Bygrave, described as a known knife-carrier, had recently began dating Steven's ex-girlfriend, Samantha Windeatt.

However, the jury of seven men and five women was told it was in fact Bygrave who was jealous. Steven and Miss Windeatt had had a long-term relationship and Steven regarded himself as a father to Miss Windeatt's son. Despite their break-up the couple remained on good terms.

Bygrave, who denies murder, told an officer following his arrest that his life was over and he had been a fool.

The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.