A WORKINGTON man has admitted the manslaughter of his brother on the grounds of 'diminished responsibility.'

Sean Blaney, 38, formally entered a guilty plea to that offence at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday, the day set down for the start of his trial for allegedly murdering his brother, 39-year-old George Leon Blaney.

Five minutes into the half-hour hearing, the court clerk addressed Sean Blaney as he stood in the dock.

She put to him the alternative count of manslaughter, alleging that between June 21 and June 24 last year he unlawfully killed George Leon Blaney.

Without hesitating, Sean Blaney replied: "Guilty."

A basis for the defendant's guilty plea to manslaughter was then read into the record.

In it, the defendant stated: "I formally admit that I killed my brother by going to his house and attacking him...

"Having had the opportunity to consider all the evidence, and in particular my state of mind at the time, I accept that I was having delusional thoughts at the time concerning my brother and I accept that these psychotic delusions (which I do not have at the moment) provide an explanation of my actions, which I regret completely."

Addressing the defendant, Judge Simon Medland QC told Blaney, of Shore Terrace, Salterbeck: "You have pleaded guilty to an exceptionally serious criminal offence and I will pass sentence on you on the afternoon of December 9."

In the meantime, said the judge, a psychiatric assessment will be carried out.

The judge confirmed that the defendant will be remanded in custody until his sentence hearing.

The victim, known as Leon, was pronounced dead after police and paramedics were called to his home at Garnet Crescent in Salterbeck, Workington, following a call reporting a sudden death at around 1.25pm on June 23 last year.

A previous court hearing was told that Mr Blaney's body was found in a bedroom at his home by his 70-year-old mother.

A coroner in Cockermouth who formally opened an inquest into the tragedy noted that Leon Blaney was an administrator by occupation, and that he had suffered “multiple injuries”.

In a tribute issued through Cumbria Police, his family described him as a “gentle giant and a good friend to many”.

Their statement said: “We have taken comfort from the thousands of messages we have received and we would like to request privacy at this difficult time.”

Sean Blaney continues to formally deny murdering his brother. During the hearing yesterday morning, Gordon Cole QC represented the prosecution and Richard Pratt QC was for the defendant.