A teenager who repeatedly stabbed an intruder in his West Norwood home was spared a jail sentence because he was acting in self defence.

Zarak McKoy, 19, wrestled a knife from Patrick Daniels-Gordon, 20, before turning the blade on him after finding him in his home in Basil Gardens in February.

He was originally charged with attempted murder but prosecutors decided to proceed with a lesser charge of unlawful wounding, to which McKoy pleaded guilty.

Judge David Paget said: "What began as self defence...ended with him going too far."

At the Old Bailey on Thursday he handed Mckoy a 50-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, because of the "particular and peculiar circumstances of this case"

The court heard how McKoy had come home at about 5.30pm on February 2 after his mother rang to tell him she was locked out. After he went in Mr Daniels-Gordon "shouted aggressively" and headbutted him, the court heard.

Mr Daniels-Gordon had been given a set of keys to the house from McKoy's uncle to entertain a girl on the condition he leave before McKoy's mother arrived, the court was told.

Zubair Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "The defendant wrestled the knife from the complainant. Trying to get the knife off him caused injuries to his hand.

"The defendant and complainant stumbled and fell down the stairs. The defendant accepts causing the injuries to the complainant with the knife."

McKoy chased off the intruder and told a next door neighbour he had "wet him", meaning he had stabbed him, the court was told. He handed himself in days later at a police station.

McKoy was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and not to contact or approach Daniels-Gordon or his family.