Man stabbed after 'chips thrown'

Mr Whelan was stabbed to death on the top deck of the bus

The girlfriend of a man allegedly murdered when he confronted a fellow bus passenger over "throwing chips", has recounted the incident in court.

Kerry Barker, 38, said she realised Richard Whelan, 28, was stabbed after Anthony Leon Joseph got off the bus in Holloway Road in north London.

She said Mr Joseph, 20, was "throwing chips" at women on the number 43 bus.

The accused, of Islington, north London, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

The jury at the Old Bailey was also shown CCTV footage taken onboard the top deck of the bus late in the evening on 29 July 2005.

Richard was trying to fight back and I remember trying to pull the man off Richard. I was ringing the bell. I was screaming 'leave him alone' Kerry Barker

The victim, from Kentish Town, north London, and his girlfriend Ms Barker boarded the bus at Islington Green and occupied the seat in front of Mr Joseph.

Ms Barker, a legal secretary, said another female passenger, an American named Kelly Burke, was seated in front of them and the accused was throwing chips at her.

"She got up and left. I just said to Richard: 'Look, he is throwing chips at that girl. He better not throw them at me.' "

Soon, Mr Joseph threw chips at her, at which the victim confronted him and the ended up in a scuffle.

"The man was laughing as he was throwing chips. The man was basically on top of Richard.

"Richard was trying to fight back and I remember trying to pull the man off Richard. I was ringing the bell. I was screaming 'leave him alone'", she added.

'Distinguishable smirk'

Suddenly the accused ran off and got off at a stop, only then Ms Barker noticed that her boyfriend was hurt.

The jury was shown footage of the chip throwing incident as well footage of Mr Whelan staggering down the steps holding on to his chest and collapsing soon after.

He died of a stab wound through the heart.

Prosecutor Jonathan Turner QC told the court that Ms Burke told him she had seen a "distinguishable smile or smirk on his (Mr Joseph's) face and he seemed really weird".

Mr Whelan, a hospitality agent who sold tickets for sporting events, was on his way home when he was stabbed.

The trial continues.