Swansea man left brother's body for mum to find, court told

Darren Steel is on trial at Swansea Crown Court

A man "brutally" murdered his older brother and left his body in a blood-soaked armchair for their mother to find, a court has been told.

Darren Steel, 39, from Morriston, Swansea, denies murdering Martin Steel at an address in Hill View Crescent in May 2023.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees told Swansea Crown Court Darren Steel did "nothing" to try and save his older brother.

Darren Steel claims he acted in self-defence.

Ms Rees said Darren Steel was "jealous" of his brother, which led to "black moods and anger".

She called the brothers' relationship "volatile" and "love-hate", especially when alcohol was involved.

Addressing the jury, she said the defendant was in an "angry state" and "consumed by rage" when he "brutally" attacked his brother.

She said Darren Steel did "nothing" to try and save him and did "nothing" to call an ambulance.

Diana Steel found her son Martin at the property on Hill View Crescent on 20 May 2023 after neighbours raised the alarm.

They had found his dog covered in a "reddish-brown" substance and had been getting no response at the house, the court heard.

Mrs Steel initially spoke to someone she could only identify as one of her sons through the door.

The prosecution argued the older brother would have been dead by this time, meaning it must have been Darren she spoke to.

The voice asked if she had brought police with her.

When she got into the property she found her son Martin with a swollen face and a blood splatter covering the room, the jury heard.

She said Darren Steel then came into the room, laughing, and claimed his brother was still drunk from the night before.

Ms Rees said: "The defendant made his escape from the scene, leaving his mother to deal with the most horrific scene imaginable."

Martin Steel sustained injuries to the head and neck, with Ms Rees saying they were consistent with an intent to kill or cause serious injury.

Doctors believe Martin Steel may have lived three to six hours with his injuries.

Steel was confronted by police on the street and attempted to give a fake name, but a neighbour mouthed his name to them.

The judge made it clear to the jury that Darren Steel had not denied that he was involved in the death of his brother, but claimed it was self-defence.

The trial continues.