Murdered boxer John Nii Kacsu Abbey told police months before his death that his alleged killer "was often causing him problems", a court heard yesterday.

Mr Abbey, 26, was stabbed in the heart in front of his three-year-old daughter at a bus stop in Croydon, south London, on January 29 this year.

It is claimed he was attacked by former friend Charles Acquaah, 22, in an act of "pure revenge" after a series of disputes.

Mr Abbey had stayed in the UK illegally after boxing for Ghana as a featherweight at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The court heard his compatriot Acquaah had agreed to Mr Abbey using his personal details to get work as a labourer for Country Waste Recycling in Croydon.

But in July 2008 he reported Mr Abbey to the police and the victim was forced to quit.

Jurors heard how on August 7, 2008, Acquaah complained that Mr Abbey had punched him in the ear.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said: "He told police the male had previously stolen his passport and this had been reported to police."

Police then went to see Mr Abbey at Parsons Mead in Croydon and found Acquaah was already there shouting at the victim, the Old Bailey heard.

"The deceased then approached the officer. He had a clearly swollen lip.

"He told the officer that in the past he and Acquaah had been sleeping with the same woman and he was currently in a relationship with her.

"He stated Charles Acquaah was often causing him problems but it was not a big deal. He was not scared of Charles Acquaah but was frustrated by the ongoing dispute."

On September 1, 2008, Acquaah told police Mr Abbey had made three threatening phone calls to him, the court heard.

Mr Altman said: "He said the deceased told him he was not safe anywhere and if he saw him he would stab him and kill him."

Acquaah later told police that he did not want the matter pursued but wanted Mr Abbey "warned about his behaviour".

On September 17, 2008, Acquaah went to Croydon police station claiming he had been poked in the eyes by Mr Abbey outside the KFC restaurant in Croydon Road.

The court heard Mr Abbey had two children with girlfriend Emma Abbott but was also seeing a woman called Natra.

Natra, who gave birth on the day of Mr Abbey's death, is also thought to have been sleeping with Acquaah, the court was told.

Acquaah, of Greenside Road, Croydon, denies murder.

He admits stabbing Mr Abbey, but claims he acted in self defence.

The trial continues.