A woman organised a “latter day medieval duel” between her two lovers to decide which one would win her affection, a murder trial has heard.

Asta Juskauskiene, 35, had just left Giedruis Juskauskas when she met Mantas Kvedaras, a 25-year-old serving time in a Lithuanian prison, online.

The care worker officially ended the relationship with Juskauskas, 42, who continued to provide financial support for their daughter, following Kvedras' release in May.

Both men claimed Juskauskiene as their own and she decided to settle the argument with a fight to the death in a Stratford alleyway, Kingston Crown Court was told.

Juskauskas was found bleeding to death in Whalebone Lane following the “murderous assault” which left him with 35 stab wounds to the body and neck. Kvedaras has since admitted to murdering him on June 17 this year.

The prosecution is arguing that Juskauskiene was a “manipulative” figure who knew that Kvederas was intending to inflict “serious violence” onto her former husband.

Prosecutor Hugh Davies said: “That purpose was for the men to settle the issue in relation to the defendant with violence - in effect a latter-day medieval duel.

“In their different ways each man felt that they had claims over Asta Juskauskiene. The situation was inevitably going to come to a head. It did come to a head in Whalebone Lane on that Monday morning.”