Man denies murdering his brother at family home

Shane Lynch, from the Illogan area, died after 11 wounds to his head

A man from Cornwall has denied murdering his brother at their mother's home last year in what was described as a "frenzied attack", a court has heard.

Daniel Lynch, 39, of Bosmeor Park, Illogan, appeared at Truro Crown Court, saying there was "no way" he killed Shane Lynch and he knew nothing about the cause of the death.

The court heard Mr Lynch was found lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen of their mother's home in Bosmeor Park in November 2024.

Mr Lynch had sustained 11 separate wounds to his head as well as a puncture wound his face and wound to his leg. The trial continues.

Defence barrister Andrew Langdon KC asked whether Mr Lynch had killed his brother.

Mr Lynch said: "I did not kill my brother. I was really close to my brother - no way."

The jury heard how Daniel Lynch had been sleeping on a sofa near the kitchen his brother was discovered by his 22-year-old half-brother.

His mother, 61, then dialled 999 and Mr Lynch was arrested by police, along with his mother and half-brother.

He told police he did not kill his brother - who was 11 months older than him - and he knew nothing about it.

Prosecutor Miss Joanna Martin KC previously told the jury she believed Mr Lynch had killed his brother using a hammer-type weapon and his only intention was to kill him.

She said the Crown Prosecution Service's case was based on CCTV footage, phone data and forensic evidence.

The CCTV footage showed a figure leaving the property carrying a rucksack after the attack. Mr Lynch denied the figure was him.

Mr Lynch said he was asleep on the sofa, having been drowsy after taking an anti-depressant tablet at the time, and told the court he had not heard any commotion or shouting when the attack happened.

When he woke up, he said he panicked and told the court he said: "Why has this happened to my brother? Who has done this to my brother?"

Miss Martin said it was a "sustained and frenzied attack".

Mr Lynch said: "I suppose so, yeah."