A gang of attackers 'continued to punch and kick' 21-year-old Finbar Sullivan as he lay fatally wounded on the ground after being stabbed at Primrose Hill, a court has heard.

The film student was killed in front of horrified members of the public at the popular north London beauty spot at around 6.40pm on 7 April, with multiple bystanders filming the attack on their phones.

Prosecutors say Sullivan was surrounded by up to seven men, knocked to the ground and repeatedly assaulted before suffering fatal stab wounds - including one to the thigh.

Despite desperate efforts by paramedics, the London Screen Academy student was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the Old Bailey, four men appeared via video link from prison accused in connection with the killing.

Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, 27, is alleged to have punched, kicked and stamped on Sullivan after he had been knocked to the ground.

Ernest Boateng, 25, is accused of kicking him to the floor before the stabbing and then punching him as he lay defenceless.

Alexis Bidace, also 25, allegedly joined in the attack, punching and kicking Sullivan moments before another man stabbed him.

Khalid Abdulqadir, 18, faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, violent disorder and possession of a knife relating to the same incident.

Opening the case, prosecutor Jennifer Newcomb said: 'The stabbing of Finbar Sullivan occurred at approximately 6.40pm on 7 April in plain view in Primrose Hill Park and was witnessed by numerous passers-by.

'Multiple people filmed the event on mobile phones. There are up to seven suspects suspected to have been involved.

'Shortly after 6.40pm there were multiple calls to the police and London Ambulance Service with members of the public reporting what appeared to be a fight between a number of young males.'

She told the court Sullivan 'came to be surrounded by the suspects, he was punched, pushed, fell to the ground and continued to be assaulted with punches, kicks and stamps.'

Detailing the alleged roles of those involved, Newcomb said: 'Mr Boateng kicked Mr Sullivan taking out his leg causing him to fall to the floor and seconds before he was stabbed and while on the floor Mr Boateng punched him and Mr Bidace punched and kicked him.

'At the time these males were surrounding him another man stabbed him multiple times including a fatal injury to the thigh. A second victim also suffered stab injuries.'

The court heard a provisional trial date of April next year has now been brought forward, with the eight-week trial set to begin on 5 January. A plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for 1 July.

Sullivan's devastated father Christopher Sullivan previously described being left 'broken-hearted' by the loss of his only son.

'He was the most beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy. He was just a really lovely person,' he said.

'This is the worst tragedy I could ever imagine. He's my only son… I had him when I was 45. He can never be replaced.'

The 65-year-old said his son - a budding filmmaker who lived with him in Maida Vale - had no links to gangs.

'He was just a little groovy 21-year-old who loved movies and making films,' he said.

'He didn't drink, he didn't smoke, he didn't go out. He'd stay at home editing his films six nights a week. He wanted to follow in his [grandfather's footsteps] and be a cameraman.

'We were just about to start a company together… he was going to do his showreel today with me. And now he's dead.'

Ogunyankinnu and Boateng, from Enfield, and Bidace, from Edmonton, are all charged with murder.

Abdulqadir, from Camden, denies murder but faces separate charges linked to the incident.