THE best friend of Ben Ford watched in horror as his pal was twice knifed in the back within seconds, a court heard.

Jamie Short was giving evidence on the second day of a murder trial at Hull Crown Court.

Ashley Grant, 26, of Fairway, Waltham, denies murdering Mr Ford on June 19.

The prosecution claims he twice stabbed 23-year-old Mr Ford, of Duke Street, Grimsby, in the back with a knife during a fight in Hanson Way, Grimsby.

Mr Short, 20, then living in Harlech Way, Grimsby, told the court he and Charmaine Bartlett punched each other during an argument in Harold Street, Grimsby.

Grant and Jamie Rushby arrived on the scene after hearing of the argument.

Rushby swung a wooden post at Mr Ford – who was already there – in the garden.

Mr Short grabbed a knife while watching from the kitchen.

Mr Short told the court Grant ran up to Mr Ford and "hovered" over him. He and Rushby later ran off.

Mr Short, Mr Ford, and two others chased them to Hanson Way, where there was a confrontation involving Grant and Rushby.

"We saw Jamie and Ashley come out of the door," said Mr Short.

"There has been a little argument between all of us."

Mr Ford and Rushby "started having a fist fight with each other" and Mr Short told Grant: "let's fight."

Mr Short told the court: "I noticed a knife in his hand. He swung this knife at me.

"It's not far missed me – a couple of centimetres. I backed off. I ran out of the garden."

He heard Zaine Capes shouting "no, don't" and thought Grant was chasing him, so reached for and gripped a knife he had in his trousers.

"I looked over my left shoulder, reaching for my knife, and I saw Ashley running up to Ben, literally behind Ben, and he stabbed him once to the right in the back," said Mr Short.

"He shouted 'come on' and then just did it again.

"There was just a second between the two stabs.

"Ben did not know it happened," said Mr Short.

"I remember standing there shaking. I got my phone out and phoned 999 for an ambulance and said: 'my friend's just been stabbed' and gave the address."

Mr Ford stopped fighting Rushby and Mr Capes told him: "Fordy, you've been stabbed."

Mr Short added: "As soon as he heard those words, he just dropped. He had one hand on his side as if he was trying to catch his breath.

"His eyes just went to the back of his head and he just dropped."

Grant ran off towards Hildyard street but Mr Short chased and caught him before repeatedly punching him.

Daniel Lytollis joined in and kicked Grant.

Mr Short and Rushby, 22, of Bramhall Street, Cleethorpes, have both admitted violent disorder and are due to be sentenced after the end of the trial.

The trial continues.

Read the report of day one of the trial here.