A knife found close to where teenager Jamil Palmer lay dying was “similar, if not the same” as a set belonging to a friend who he had visited that day, a court has heard.

Five teenagers are standing trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering Mr Palmer, a former Richmond College and Kingston College student, who died after being stabbed in Crane Park, Whitton, on May 6.

The jury heard yesterday how Mr Palmer had visited a friend, Georgia McConnachie, at her home in Butts Farm estate shortly before he was stabbed.

Mr Palmer, of Belgrade Road, Hampton, arrived at Miss McConnachie’s flat with another friend at about 3pm, the court heard.

The two men went into the kitchen to smoke while Miss McConnachie, 18, remained in the living room with her two-year-old brother.

Defence barrister Michael Turner QC showed Miss McConnachie a photo of a knife recovered from the murder scene, which she acknowledged looked similar to those in her kitchen.

He said: "That knife is very similar, if not the same, as the set that lived in your kitchen.

"If it is not a knife from the kitchen, it is a coincidence."

Giving evidence at the trial as a witness, Miss McConnachie said she was unaware of a knife missing from her kitchen, but admitted she did not see the pair leave the room.

Another witness, Tara Thornley, who stayed with Mr Palmer as he lay dying before paramedics arrived, also gave evidence.

Mrs Thornley had picked up her nine-year-old son at 3.15pm on May 6 this year, before walking home through the park.

She said saw what she initially thought was a black bin bag in the bushes before realising it was a youth calling for help.

She said: "As I walked further along, I saw hands in the air waving and asking for help.

"I told my little boy to stay on the path and I ran through the bushes to him.

"He was on his knees with Jamil, who was lying on his back with his arms stretched out - his eyes were open and he was looking up at the sky.

"I could see blood."

Mrs Thornley told the court the boy who had called for help said he was going for help but never returned.

She added: "I asked him if he would come back because I didn't want to be in this situation on my own but he ran off and never came back."

The court heard Mrs Thornley stayed with the former Richmond College and Kingston College student until the emergency services arrived, before returning later to speak to an officer.

Kishon Zelaya, 18, from Reading, and four other defendants, aged 15, 16, 16 and 17 years old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all deny murder.

The trial continues.