Man killed brother in 'fit of extreme rage' during family bust-up

A man killed his older brother in a "fit of extreme rage" then fled, leaving their mother to discover her son's beaten body.

Father-of-two Martin Steel was attacked and left to die by his younger brother Darren Steel in May 2023.

Swansea Crown Court heard the siblings had a "love-hate relationship" and the 41-year-old claimed he had acted in self-defence following a row.

He was found guilty of murder on Thursday following a retrial and will be sentenced on Friday.

Speaking after the verdict, police said the defendant committed the "ultimate betrayal" by killing his brother.

Prosecutor Andrew Jones said the 48-year-old victim was found dead by his mother, who had been called to the house in Hill View Crescent, Swansea, by worried neighbours.

She dialled 999 after being met with the "horrific sight" of seeing her son "slumped in a chair in his living room, probably dead and covered in blood".

Jones said: "He had been subjected to a horrific beating in his own home and left to die there.

"The person who murdered him was his own brother, Darren Steel.

"He did absolutely nothing to help his injured brother. He ran away from the premises, leaving his mother to deal with her dead or dying son.

"We say he killed his older brother in a fit of extreme rage. He used severe blunt force. He did nothing to stop his brother from dying in front of him."

Jones said the "proud father of two daughters" suffered blunt injuries to the face and neck, and a fractured voice box during the attack.

Jurors heard the claims of self-defence did not add up due to the extent of the injuries inflicted.

"The law recognises that a person can use reasonable force to defend themselves," said Jones.

"Under no stretch of the imagination could the injuries inflicted be the result of reasonable force.

"We say the defendant used unreasonable force and continued to do so until his own brother, in his own home, could take no more."

Jones said Steel, of Morriston, Swansea, made no comment in interview and had no apparent injuries when arrested.

However, the court heard he told a neighbour his brother had "punched him twice" and that he "may have gone too far", adding: "I don't know if I killed him."

Jurors also heard he had shown "escalating violence" by attacking a man and woman in the days before the murder.

Det Insp Stuart Prendiville, of South Wales Police, said the investigation had been complex and shocked the community.

"The impact on the family has been significant," he added.

"Darren Steel committed the ultimate betrayal against his older brother and caused further distress by pleading not guilty and putting the family through the ordeal of not one, but two trials.

"We are relieved with the outcome and glad that the court proceedings have now come to an end. Our thoughts are with the family."