A JURY in a murder trial has been asked to consider if a suspect was 'a little boy lost' or 'a young man capable of murder'.

Barristers for both the prosecution and defence made their closing statements as the three week trial into the murder of Keagan Crimes nears its conclusion.

Gordon Cole QC, prosecuting, said the 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 'anything but a little boy lost' when he stabbed Mr Crimes.

The youth admits stabbing the 27-year-old on October 11, 2020 in Cheviot Square, but denies murder, claiming he was acting in self-defence.

CCTV captured much of the incident as it unfolded just before 10.30pm, but crucially, around 15 seconds of it took place in a blind spot, with both sides agreeing it was during that time the fatal injury was caused.

Mr Cole said: "You may consider his evidence as portraying himself like a little boy lost.

"He is still a young man.

"But on October 11, 2020, he was anything but a little boy lost.

"The prosecution have to prove to you that this young man is guilty of murder."

Mr Cole reminded the jury about a key piece of evidence heard earlier in the trial in which one witness recalled seeing Mr Crimes slip over before the teen put a hand on his chest and "drove the knife straight through him".

He also recalled the 'crucial' evidence provided by a Home Office pathologist who indicated a severe degree of force had been used in the stabbing, as it sliced off part of Mr Crimes third rib before it travelled approximately 11cm through his chest, into his heart.

"This was a young man who went out that night to be an aggressor and a took a big Rambo knife with him," Mr Cole added.

"He was more than able to hold his own.

"This young man, and it gives me no pleasure to say this, is a young man who was dangerous.

"He went out looking for trouble.

"If you take a weapon out with you, you're prepared to use it, and he did.

"It was a deliberate, forceful, fatal act that led to the death of a young man."

However, Michael Hayton QC, defending, asked that if his client wasn't a little boy lost, then what was he, reminding the jury how the teen was just 16 at the time and in an area unfamiliar to him.

"He was in an unfamiliar area when he became separated from his friends and was confronted by older males," he said.

"At the age of just 16 he was involved in a terrible incident that saw another young man lose his life.

"He's certainly lost something, most definitely lost his way.

"He was a bad lad before and he was a bad lad after, but this is about whether he's guilty of murder."

Mr Hayton went on to explain how the eight to ten males who confronted the teen that night had been on an epic two day drinking bender and questioned their ability to restrain themselves. He added how the evidence provided by some of those men, and others, during the trial was "demonstrable rubbish".

"There's been little mention of the four knives found at the scene," he said.

"He was pursued as he left the scene, while someone in Audi tried to run him over.

"Most of what happened that night can be seen on CCTV, but crucially not all of it.

"What took place was over in a few seconds, with the crucial moment taking place that blind spot.

"It's about those 15 seconds and it's about how that boy defended himself.

"He might not be an angel and you might not want him living next door, but did he really face down all those men?

"We suggest this little boy lost was just that.

"He was out of his league, out of his depth and in those 15 seconds was scared his life was going to be taken."

Judge Steven Everett is expected to take a day or so to remind the jury of all of the evidence heard during the three week trial, before they retire to consider the verdict.