A York drug dealer went on trial today accused of murdering another dealer in a dispute over heroin.

The jury at Leeds Crown Court heard that Jason Nicholas Wade, 27, repeatedly stabbed Wayne Nicholson, also known as Wayne Shaw and Clemens.

One of the blows penetrated Mr Nicholson's heart and he fell dead in the living room of Wade's home in Welborn Close, Tang Hall, said Peter Collier, QC, prosecuting.

His killer allegedly then buried the knife, and got hold of some drugs before spending the night at a bed and breakfast with his girlfriend in another part of York.

The next day, after the couple went on a trip to Scarborough, he handed himself in.

Mr Collier said the jury will hear the tape of the interview in which Wade allegedly lied to police, claiming Mr Nicholson had attacked him.

A former girlfriend of Wade's then gave evidence against him today. Wade denies murder.

Mr Collier alleged that Mr Nicholson went to Wade's bungalow to discuss some heroin that had gone missing.

He had on him £2,000 and a "knuckle duster" knife.

The only two people who knew what happened next were Wade and Mr Nicholson.

The prosecution claim that Wade murdered Nicholson, and Wade claims he tried to defend himself.

According to Mr Collier, Wade repeatedly stabbed Mr Nicholson, causing wounds to the head, neck and shoulder.

During the attack, he three times stabbed him in the chest.

Nicola Higgins, giving evidence, said that several years ago she had had a relationship with Wade, but had not seen him for some time.

The night before he died, Mr Nicholson - her cousin - had spent the night at her flat in Thoresby Road, Acomb.

Mr Nicholson had been due to attend a party on March 26, the day of this death.

When he did not arrive his family tried to contact him by his pager and mobile phone but it was not until the next day he was found in Wade's bungalow by two young men.

The trial continues.

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