A YOUNG man carrying a knife ended up dead after two rival gangs came together in a night of "general and mortal violence" in Bradford, a court heard.

The trial of Hashim Sajjad, 20, of Wheatlands Crescent in Daisy Hill, got underway at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

He is accused of murdering 19-year-old Muhammed Mujahid Hussain on April 22, which he denies.

Sajjad appeared in the dock wearing a smart, long-sleeved white shirt and black trousers.

The case is being overseen by His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose.

Muhammed suffered a single stab wound in Duckworth Lane after large scale disorder on the busy street near Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The 19-year-old arrived at BRI and died a short time later.

Mark McKone QC, for the prosecution, gave his opening speech yesterday after the jury had been selected and sworn in.

He told the court Sajjad was "involved in serious violence with other young men", when two rival groups came together in Duckworth Lane, outside UK Fried Chicken.

He added: "There is evidence the defendant and the deceased knew each other before this day."

It's claimed both of them, and another individual who cannot be named for legal reasons, were together at a property in December 2020.

The prosecution said the fatal ordeal unfolded after a call was made from a man to Sajjad at 10.46pm on April 22, which the defendant then returned 10 minutes later.

That same man later drove a Volkswagen Golf, with Muhammed inside, to the scene of the fight.

Mr McKone said: "Sajjad drove his Audi A1 to the scene at 10.52pm.

"He and another man got out of the Audi; the now deceased Mr Hussain was not at the scene at the time the fight started."

The prosecution's case is based largely on CCTV, which Mr McKone said "shows a general and mortal violence". The CCTV also shows the killing.

"The murder, the prosecution says, involves the defendant stabbing Muhammed Hussain once with a knife that injured his heart."

The knife entered the right-hand side of Mr Hussain's lower chest, with a slight upwards trajectory, penetrating the cartilage of the ribs and leaving a 9cm deep wound.

This would have required at least moderate force, even with a sharp knife, Mr McKone said.

Mr Hussain was carrying a knife himself, the prosecution revealed.

Mr McKone added: "It's important you know this feature and have it in mind from the outset of this case."

It is understood the defence case for Sajjad will be he was acting in self-defence, the court heard.

But the prosecution's position is that someone not wanting to be involved in trouble could have left the scene.

Mr McKone said: "The prosecution say that a person is not acting in self-defence if they are also an aggressor the prosecution said the defendant wanted to use violence because they wanted to fight."

After Mr Hussain was stabbed, the prosecution said Sajjad returned to his Audi A1 and "drove his car deliberately at three people, hitting one" - all three of which were from a rival gang.

Mr McKone told the jury Sajjad had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving earlier in the day, before they were selected.

But he said Sajjad denies deliberately driving at anyone and instead claims he rushed off from the scene in a panic.

Mr McKone added: "The driving is also caught on CCTV, so you will be able to watch that and put that in context of the incident overall."

That completed the prosecution's opening and brought an end to a delayed day.

Judge Rose released the jury just before 4pm.

The trial was due to start at 10.30am, but delays meant the jury were not sworn in until later afternoon

Family members of both Mr Hussain and Sajjad were present in the public gallery.

The trial continues.