A father was stabbed to death with a screwdriver after going to "remonstrate" with two street robbers who had stolen his iPhone, a court heard today.

Keith Soons, 36, who had a baby daughter with his long-term partner, died from a single wound to his head after going after the men who targeted him as he stood outside a friend's house at 3am.

Michael Sexton, 28, and Richard Smith, 27, who are charged with murdering Mr Soons, both admit being at the scene of the attack in Wellington Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, but their trial at Bristol Crown Court heard today that each blames the other for delivering the fatal blow.

Mr Soons was found lying injured in the street by a passer-by at 8am on February 5 this year, five hours after the attack. He died in hospital later the same day having never regained consciousness.

Prosecutor William Mousley QC said that, although the murder weapon was never found, the wound suffered by Mr Soons bore all the hallmarks of being inflicted by a screwdriver.

"He lost his life over a mobile phone," he told the jury of eight men and four women.

"The prosecution cannot say which of the two actually inflicted the fatal injury but they were both together at the relevant time.

"Each accepts that he was there, each blames the other and denies having any part in the killing of Mr Soons. In fact, the prosecution say that both are culpable.

"They had both robbed him, they had both been acting together before and during and they continued to act together after the attack.

"They left Mr Soons seriously injured - neither of them called an ambulance. It is possible that with quicker treatment he might have survived, albeit with significant residual mental problems."

Smith and Sexton sat at opposite ends of the dock, separated by security guards, as family members looked on from the public gallery.

Mr Soons' wallet and a ring he had been wearing were later recovered but his iPhone4 has never been found, jurors were told.

Sexton, of Moors Avenue, Cheltenham, denies murder but admits one charge of robbery.

Smith, of Fairview Road, Cheltenham, denies murder and robbery.

Mr Soons lived in Gloucester with partner Sam Ramsey, 23, the mother of his daughter Tilly, who was eight months old when he died.

Mr Mousley added: "Mr Soons was left lying in Wellington Lane, Cheltenham, a quiet lane, gravely injured.

"It was not until 8am that a member of the public discovered him and called the emergency services.

"He was taken to hospital but, despite the concerted efforts of several medical professionals, his life could not be saved."