A carjacker accused of murdering a garage owner for his Mercedes has admitted stabbing him after he refused to hand over the keys.

Harjinder Singh Bhurji, 32, was knifed in a late-night struggle over the keys of his black Mercedes SLK, the Old Bailey heard this week.

He bled to death on Stoneleigh Road, Ilford in front of his friend Kajal Bhardwa, a 25-year-old business analyst, moments after confessing he “liked” her.

Rory Gordon, 23, and Jae-don Fearon, 21, are accused of killing Mr Bhurji and stealing his car.

Gordon admitted Mr Bhurji, of Highbury Gardens, Ilford, “ended up getting stabbed” but claims he did not mean to kill him.

“He was like ‘it’s not my car, it’s not my car’ and the lady was like ‘stop messing about and give him the keys’, said Gordon.

“I turned to the lady and made a threat towards her. Basically I said ‘I’m going to slit your throat’.

“By me threatening the lady I thought the man would just hand over the keys. I done that to frighten him. The guy came in my direction, I jumped back and jabbed with my right hand.

“I was trying to keep the distance between us. He ended up getting stabbed.

“It was me who stabbed him. I never intended to stab anyone.

“It happened so fast, as soon as he came towards me I pulled away.

“I saw him bend down inside the car and then he gave me the keys.”

Mr Bhurji bled to death at the scene in the early hours of September 13, 2011.

His car was found abandoned in Chingford.

Gordon, of Rainhill Way, Bow, and Fearon, of Manor Farm Drive, Chingford, deny murder.

The trial continues.