A former court jailer stabbed his wife's ex-husband to death, a murder trial has heard.

Bill Davey, 41, was out walking his dog when he was attacked near his home in Nuthurst Place, Whitehawk, Brighton, on the night of February 15.

Brian Rudwick, 34, is accused of stabbing him with a large combat knife and slitting his throat.

Rudwick, of Tarner Road, Brighton, denies murder.

Philip Katz QC, prosecuting, told Lewes Crown Court: "He had gone out on a mission to find and kill Mr Davey."

Afterwards he left Mr Davey, a father of six, dying in the road while he went home and told his wife he had done "something stupid." She immediately went to Brighton police station and officers were sent their house to arrest him.

Rudwick, who worked as a jailer at Brighton Magistrates Court, told police he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder related to his former military service and could not remember anything that had happened.

He said he suffered a brain injury which caused blackouts.

Mr Katz said Rudwick suggested he was acting in self defence but this was not accepted by the Crown.

He said: "Even if the defendant thought he was about to be attacked by Mr Davey the injuries inflicted were horrific and were well beyond anything that could be called self defence."

He told the jury there had been ill-feeling between Mr Davey and Rudwick and there were allegations of threats on both sides.

Rudwick said he went for a walk because he had a headache.

He heard an insult and turned to see Mr Davey, who he claimed immediately punched him in the face. He punched him back.

Mr Katz said: "There was a tussle and Mr Davey threatened to kill Carol, his former wife, and the children. He remembers nothing after that.

"He found himself near his home with blood on his hands. He told Carol he had a fight with Mr Davey and asked her to go to the police. He said he never intended to kill Mr Davey."

He told detectives he had thrown the knife away and his clothes were in the washing machine.

On a notice board in the kitchen Rudwick had written a message to his wife - "I love you Caz with all my heart. Sorry."

The court heard Mr Davey, an electrician, had been due to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court 12 days after he died on charges of rape and of indecent assault, which he denied.

The trial continues.