AN identical twin killed his brother with a kitchen knife after a drunken argument erupted on New Year's Eve - and then went to a party, a court heard.

Winchester Crown Court heard how Robert Cerqua plunged a kitchen knife into his brother Christopher in the stomach after a row broke out between them at their family home in Hythe, at 9pm on December 31, 2013.

Prosector Nicholas Haggan QC told jurors how Robert Cerqua, who denies murder, fled the home in Langdown Road without any shoes on and was picked up by his girlfriend Joelle Mansfield, who then took them to a New Year's Eve party as his brother fought for his life.

The court heard how the fatal incident unfolded as their parents Peter and Denise were in the house.

The stab wound to Christopher Cerqua measured between 15-17cm, about six or seven inches, the court heard.

Robert Cerqua turned off his mobile phone but police traced him to the party's address.

Paramedics fought to save Christopher's life but he died in hospital at 10.20pm.

Mr Haggan told the court how Robert Cerqua told police officers in interview that he acted in self defence after Christopher threatened him with a knife.

But the court heard how a knife with a broken handle and bent blade was found in the kitchen sink at the family home, which prosecutors claim was the weapon involved in the incident.

Mr Haggan said: "This is a tragic case.

"It was New Year's Eve. Both brothers had been drinking. Shortly before 2100 hours an argument started between the two brothers.

"That argument appears to have turned into a tussle.

"Punches may have been exchanged. At some point this defendant picked up a kitchen knife and used it to stab his brother Christopher.

"Having done so the defendant fled the family home. He didn't even stop to take the time to put on a pair of shoes before he left the house.

"He telephoned his girlfriend and she picked him up in her car and took him to a friend's house where a New Year's Eve party was in full swing.

"The defendant turned off his mobile phone which meant he could not be contacted by the police "He stayed at the party until the police traced him to that address and he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

"By then he was very drunk."

The court heard how text messages exchanged between Robert Cerqua and his girlfriend Joelle Mansfield earlier in the day revealed Robert said he and his brother were talking about the past, adding: "We've got things to sort out".

Another text read: "There might be a fight in a min. This is my life! Don't want this but what can I do?

"Had enough of this baby. Sorry but this is what I got to put up with and I hate it!"

The court heard how their mother Denise called 999 for police assistance as the fight broke out but their father Peter can be heard shouting "he's stabbed him" in the background.

A harrowing 13 minute recording of the 999 call was played to the court and Denise can be heard crying as she gives details of what took place to the operator.

She gives a description of her son Robert, who had fled the house, and tells her husband to apply pressure on the wound as Christopher lay on the kitchen floor.

Christopher could be heard calling out in the background.

The court heard how paramedics found Christopher on the kitchen floor with Peter holding a tea towel against a the wound, which was just below the left of his belly button.

Mr Haggan said the knife punctured the aorta causing internal bleeding.

Tests carried out on the knife showed DNA profiles of both brothers on it and Mr Haggan said that no other knife was found in the kitchen that could have been used in the incident.

A code red alert was issued at Southampton General Hospital and a specialist trauma team worked on Christopher for about 30 minutes but they were unable to save him.

Robert Cerqua, of Langdown Road, Hythe, denies murder.

The trial continues.