Thornton Heath student Eugene Attram was stabbed to death in a street fight in Mitcham involving as many as 60 youths from two rival gangs, the Old Bailey was told today.

Eugene, 16, was ambushed by at least eight youths wielding baseball bats near Lavender Park on November 4, 2006, prosecutor Anthony Leonard QC told the court.

His friend, 16, was stabbed 10 times as he rushed to Eugene's side.

Eugene and his friend were part of a group of 14 who had traveled from Clapham Junction to Mitcham by 217 bus before walking to Lavender Avenue.

Mr Leonard said all 14 were members of the Battersea-based SUK gang.

He said they were ambushed in Lavender Avenue by members of the Mitcham-based TZ gang, some armed with baseball bats.

In the brawl that followed involving between 40 and 60 youths, Attram and his friend found themselves surrounded and were kicked and punched repeatedly as well as being hit with long sticks.

The fight ended with Eugene and his friend on the ground lying next to each other.

Mr Leonard told the court that an unnamed youth knelt over Ernest Bevin College student and said "I'm so sorry Eugene" as he bled on the pavement.

Both were both rushed to St George's Hospital at 7.15pm. Doctors decided there was nothing they could do for Eugene.

Ashley Rookwood, 19, from Tooting, appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with murder.

Four others appeared alongside him in the dock, charged with violent disorder - Loren Fejziu, 18, Sunil Alleyne, 18, Ben Sampson, 18, all from Mitcham, and a male youth, 15.

All deny the charges. The trial continues.