The ex-lover of Archie Ward told a murder trial of the final moments of his life – as he confronted her boyfriend, who was armed with a knife.

Hannah Blake broke down and wept as she took the oath before giving evidence on the second day of the trial of John Buchanan.

The raven-haired mum-of-two told the jury at Canterbury Crown Court how her seven year relationship ended when she discovered Mr Ward had fathered another child.

Later she began a new relationship with 22-year-old Buchanan, of St John’s Crescent in Newington, who has denied murdering his rival by throwing a knife.

Taking deep breaths, Ms Blake revealed how Mr Ward objected to her new boyfriend and the two men swapped threats by phone and when they met.

In June last year, she and Buchanan were together at a neighbour's barbecue when Mr Ward drove past on Father's Day after dropping off their two children at her mother’s home.

She revealed how 6ft 2in Mr Ward had threatened to kill Buchanan during one row.

“And John said he would stab Archie but it wouldn’t have been a match because Archie, 40, was much bigger. It was a man against a boy, “

She said she was told that her former lover’s car was near her home in Ramsgate and she panicked the two men would meet.

“I went to the car and spoke with Archie. He said he had come round to collect a jacket but there wasn’t any jacket in the house.”

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC asked: “What happened then?”

Ms Blake began taking long breaths and after a 90-second delay replied: “Archie asked me what I was doing. I said: ’None of your business.’

“He asked if John was there and I lied and said no. I told him to go away. John then appeared and stood at the window. Archie got out of his car and chased after him to the front door.

“John tried to get back and close the door but he slipped and Archie got inside. John was hiding, standing in the kitchen. He was holding a silver kitchen knife.”

She claimed that her ex-lover was then persuaded to return to his car and began shouting at his rival: ‘Come out you coward!”

Ms Blake was asked on several occasions to read her police statement as she struggled to recall events.

Judge Heather Norton urged her to calm down as she told the jury in frustration: “I can’t remember what I was doing!”

She added that the two men were “winding each other up” and Archie’s “blood was boiling and he was getting angry”.

Ms Blake added that Mr Ward, who apologised for the fracas, returned to the car, telling her: “He said he was going to have me and we should be together.”

He was saying he was sorry as he got into the driver’s seat. Buchanan appeared at the front door with a knife.

Mr Bennetts asked what then happened.

She paused again for two minutes before telling the jury: “I just remember him throwing the knife.”

The prosecution has alleged that Buchanan hurled the knife at Mr Ward, which passed through an open window before striking him on the thigh severing an artery. He died later that day from his wounds.

The trial continues