A TEENAGER allegedly pulled out a “combat” knife when he confronted a group of students before trying to rob one of them at night, York Crown Court heard.

Nathan Barrie Kelly, 19, told Oliver Ewin he would smash a wine bottle over his head unless he gave him some money, said Louise Reevell, opening the prosecution.

The pair were alone together after one of Mr Ewin’s friends, Ashley Standland, had hidden between some cars and then gone for help.

They had been with two other students, Philip Marshall and Alex Dunn, when they first encountered Kelly in a park off East Parade, Heworth, with his friends.

Mr Dunn, giving evidence, claimed the knife looked like a “combat knife” and said: “I was quite intimidated by the situation. I just removed myself from it.”

He and Mr Marshall had gone home.

He claimed that when Mr Ewin and Mr Standland failed to return to the house where all four were staying, Mr Marshall took a kitchen knife and set off in search of them while he rang 999.

Kelly, of St John’s Walk, off Heworth Green, York, denies the charge of attempted robbery.

Mrs Reevell alleged that Mr Ewin didn’t hand Kelly any money and ran off.

Mr Dunn alleged the four students had been drinking together at the house shared by two of them before they went to the park for some fresh air at 1.30am on July 22, carrying bottles of wine.

There they saw a group of people including Kelly, who was aggressive towards them and pulled out the knife briefly.

Kelly wanted alcohol and cigarettes and agreed Mr Ewin and he could smoke from a cannabis “bomb” Kelly and his friends had.

When the four left, Kelly came with them saying he didn’t want trouble, alleged Mr Dunn.

The trial continues.