A teenager was stabbed three times in the chest in a pre-arranged gang fight at a tram stop, a court heard.

The 17-year-old victim suffered a puncture lung and a laceration to the liver, during the fight on the Elmers End bound platform at Arena tram stop, on the evening of February 5.

Croydon Crown Court heard yesterday how two groups congregated at the tram stop at about 7pm, with the victim part of one group and the defendants - two 15-year-old boys - part of the other.

Neither the defendants or victims can be named for legal reasons.

Luke Ponte, prosecuting, said the exact grievance between the groups was unclear, but the victim had indicated there had been threats made to stab the younger brother of a member of his group.

Mr Ponte said: "There is evidence the confrontation was gang- or, at least, territory-related.

"The defendants' group appears to identify its territory as Thornton Heath.

"In the course of the confrontation they shout "f*** Payback"- Payback being a gang they associated with the second group."

Jurors heard a 12cm knife blade was recovered from the victim's clothing and a knife handle was found on the grass area by the tram stop.

The defendants deny attempted murder and an alternative charge of wounding with intent.

The trial continues.