A NORTHFLEET teenager accused of murdering father-of-five James Green told a friend "it's going to be sorted", days before the killing.

The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was being asked why he and others on The Hive Estate were heckling 29-year-old Mr Green who was stabbed to death on his own doorstep in Northfleet on June 21.

Tommy Presley, aged 18, of Bankside, Northfleet, also denies murdering the Holly Court resident.

The prosecution claims Mr Green had been condemned as a "grass" after being arrested with someone else from the Hyde estate, but was released alone.

A key witness in the trial told the court how she spent time with the 17-year-old defendant five days before Mr Green's death.

She said she asked him why he was bothering with Mr Green. He allegedly replied: "Don't worry about it, it's going to be sorted.”.

On the night of Mr Green's death she said the accused had also told her: "I've got to sort something."

When she told him not to get into any trouble "he just laughed" she said.

She also described an incident on June 15 where Mr Green retreated to the back of Northfleet Food and Wine, in Stonebridge Road, while youths gathered outside at around 5pm.

She told the court: "Someone in the crowd said: 'I'm going to kill you'.

The court was shown CCTV of the 17-year-old defendant with a group of people outside the shop.

Presley was not on the footage.

Jonathan Higgs, defending the 17-year-old defendant, told the witness: "The whole of your evidence about this is just plain wrong."

Presley admits causing the wounds which killed Mr Green but claims he acted in self-defence.

The 17-year-old says he was nearby but not involved in the death.

Both defendants deny murder.

The trial at Maidstone Crown Court continues.