LONDON - A TEENAGE actor who played a role in the forthcoming Harry Potter film was stabbed to death as he tried to protect his younger brother, a court heard on Monday.

Rob Knox, 18, was stabbed five times outside a bar in Sidcup, Kent, in May last year.

He was protecting his brother Jamie, 17, from the accused Karl Bishop, 21, the Old Bailey jury heard.

Bishop denies murder and five charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The previous week Rob and his friends had become involved in a row with Bishop which was to have 'dreadful consequences", the court heard.

Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said: 'Unfortunately, his courage and his sense of duty were to cost him his life.' During the lethal altercation Bishop threatened that he 'would stab anyone who came near him", Mr Altman said.

In the melee that followed as others tried to stop him, the defendant 'quite deliberately' stabbed four others, including Rob, the Press Association reported.

One of his wounds penetrated a main artery and was to prove fatal. Rob's parents Colin and Sally broke down as they heard details of their son's final moments.

The other alleged victims were stabbed in the chest, legs, arms, face and hand, one of them suffering 'significant spinal damage'.

The court heard that Bishop showed 'absolutely no signs of remorse' and, when told that he was charged with murder, replied: 'Yeah, sweet.' The trial was adjourned until Tuesday. -- REUTERS