A student at Richmond upon Thames College was stabbed to death while defending the honour of a female friend, the Old Bailey has been told.

Hazrat Wali, an 18-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, died after challenging his attacker who is said to have made a mocking comment about Muslim women in hijabs.

The defendant, who was 16 at the time of the attack, denies murdering the student on the Craneford Way Playing Fields, in Twickenham, in October last year.

The attack was witnessed by horrified youngsters from Richmond School and Hampton School, who were taking part in a rugby match nearby.

A teacher from one of the schools rushed to the scene to offer first aid, however Hazrat died from a stab wound around one hour after the attack.

The attack horrified the local community at the time and led to a new security regime being implemented at Richmond College, which also offered counselling to students.

Prosecuting counsel, Jacob Hallam, KC, told the court that Hazrat was sitting close to the rugby pitch with Mariam Ahmadazai when they were approached by the defendant and five other teenagers,

Hazrat, who lived in Notting Hill, challenged the alleged killer over a comment about girls wearing the hijab, according to one of the pupils who witnessed the attack.

Mr Hallam said: "Hazrat got to his feet and approached the defendant, and the defendant said to him, 'Come at me then', and pushed Hazrat.

"Both had their hands by their sides, and were pushing each other using their chests and shoulders.

"That sort of pushing happened a few times, and then Hazrat took out his mobile and called a friend of his to come and help because he was going to be in a fight."

Mariam then noticed the defendant was hold a black knife which was about 20cm long in his left hand.

Mr Hallam added: "They both seemed angry. Hazrat used his left arm to push the defendant away and the defendant used the arm with which he was holding his long black knife to strike Hazrat once to the right side of his body."

It later emerged that the blade pierced Hazrat's body below his sixth rib and plunged 10cm into his liver, resulting in massive blood loss.

Despite his injuries, Hazrat managed to grab his attacker shouting: "Why did you stab me?" However, he then collapsed, pleading: "Help me. Why would he stab me?".'

Staff and students taking part in the rugby match gave first aid until paramedics arrived, but Hazrat died an hour later from blood loss.

The court was told that in recorded calls from prison, the defendant, who denies murder, claimed he was acting both in anger and self-defence.

The trial, which opened on Friday, continues.