A university student was fatally stabbed five times in the chest while on the phone to his girlfriend after a dispute with a friend over a fake Rolex watch, Leicester Crown Court has heard.

Khaleed Oladipo, 20, a third-year cyber security student at De Montfort University, was walking home on February 3 when he was attacked by Harper Dennis, 18, also a university student. Prosecutors allege the argument stemmed from a perceived debt and an incident involving a counterfeit Rolex watch that Dennis had been given to sell.

Opening the case, prosecutor Jane Osborne KC told the court that Oladipo and Dennis knew each other through online gaming and were part of a group chat. However, a falling out occurred, with Dennis claiming he was owed £3,000. The prosecution stated that Dennis had also allegedly threatened Oladipo's girlfriend if the money was not paid.

Jurors were informed that Dennis had been left embarrassed and angry after a Rolex watch Oladipo had given him to sell turned out to be fake, leading to him being ridiculed by jewelers. Messages presented to the court indicated a breakdown in their friendship, with Dennis allegedly sending a message on Boxing Day stating he would "dedicate his life to making sure you suffer for what you did."

On the day of the attack, Oladipo was on his way to watch an Arsenal football match when he was stabbed. His girlfriend, who was on the phone with him, reportedly heard him exclaim, "why did you come up and stab me?" before asking her to call an ambulance. He collapsed shortly after, and despite attempts at CPR by passers-by, he could not be saved. A post-mortem examination revealed six wounds, including one that penetrated his heart, and a defensive injury to his thumb.

A motorist's dashcam captured part of the altercation, with the driver recalling seeing "a snowstorm of feathers" from one of the puffer jackets worn by the individuals. The witness also reported seeing a knife on the ground near where Oladipo lay.

Dennis was arrested later that night at his university accommodation. Police found four knives in his flat, including a 25cm bladed knife and a tactical knife. He allegedly provided a flatmate with a bin bag containing the clothes he was wearing at the time of the attack. After initially providing a no-comment statement, Dennis offered a defense of self-defense. He denies charges of murder, possessing an article with a blade or point, and failing to provide the PIN for his phone. The trial is expected to last three weeks.