AN Iraqi asylum seeker accused of murdering a fellow countryman had a "glazed and fixated" look in his eye after the stabbing, a jury was told.

PC Eme Susan Assiak was despatched to Infirmary Street, Blackburn just before midnight on January 19 this year and talked to Samsuddin Farhan Hamad as Mokhler Mostafa was put in the back of an ambulance, Preston Crown Court heard.

She said: "He wanted to go in the ambulance. He looked straight at me. His eyes were glazed and fixated. I said: 'We want to catch those responsible.' He replied: "It was the white men.'"

Hamad, 20, denies murdering Mr Mostafa, 26, and claims two white men killed his friend in Infirmary Street before running off.

PC Wendy Eastham told the court on the second day of the trial that Hamad was cradling Mr Mostafa when she arrived at 11.57pm.

She added: "He was shouting and ranting. This was in bits of English and his native language. There were many swear words."

PC Eastham also found the alleged murder weapon, a kitchen knife, in the road. Police then handcuffed and arrested Hamad on the suspicion of attempted murder.

Mr Mostafa, who was living in Warrington but was visiting Hamad, died shortly after in Blackburn Infirmary. He had five stab wounds, three to the chest and two to the head.

The jury also heard from 12 residents of Infirmary Street who reported hearing either raised voices, arguing or shouting from two non-English speaking men at various times between 10pm and midnight.

A couple of those had looked out of their windows and seen Mr Mostafa keep flopping over as Hamad tried to lift him up under his shoulders.

Wangan Penina, Hamad's next-door neighbour, said his Infirmary Street house had been targeted before he moved in because it regularly housed asylum seekers. She said she heard doors banging and loud music on the night of the attack.

Jack Price, QC, defending, asked her if there was a strong feeling in Infirmary Street that people didn't like asylum seekers.

She said: "Yes, this has been going on for some time."

Mr Price asked: "Have they thrown eggs?"

She replied: "Yes."

Mr Price asked: "Have they thrown bricks and smashed windows?"

She said: "Yes."

Mr Price asked: "Is it quite a bad area for people to live in?"

She replied: "Yes."

(Proceeding)