West Wales family tell court: “We have lost two sons”

A 34-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for life for murdering his own brother following what a judge described as a “vicious, sustained and seriously out-of-proportion” attack.

Darren Steel, of Swansea, was sentenced today (Friday, Feb 13) at Swansea Crown Court before His Honour Huw Rees, who told him he may never be released from prison.

The court heard the fatal assault followed a dispute linked to drugs, with Steel unleashing a prolonged and repeated attack on his brother.

Passing sentence, Judge Rees said the violence went far beyond any reasonable response.

“This was not a short burst of violence,” he said.

“It was vicious, sustained and seriously out of proportion. The anger you displayed that day — uncontrolled anger — arose from your belief that someone had stolen your drugs.”

Lies to police

The judge said Steel attempted to evade responsibility immediately after the killing, giving officers a false name when arrested.

He later repeated a series of lies in custody, including making what the judge described as a “patently false” allegation involving his former partner.

“I’m sorry to tell you that your performance earlier was out of self-pity, not out of remorse,” Judge Rees told him.

“You have shown no genuine insight into what you have done.”

“Pure evil”

Family members delivered emotional victim impact statements describing the devastating consequences of the killing.

One relative told the court: “I have lost both of my sons, either in death or in prison.”

Susanne, the victim’s aunt, said the family had been living through “a constant nightmare”.

“Throughout both trials, Darren has not shown one glimpse of remorse for what he did to his brother,” she said. “He is vacant. He is pure evil.”

Zoe Steel, the victim’s daughter, said her father’s death had robbed her of future milestones.

“I didn’t just lose my father that day — I lost the man who was meant to walk me down the aisle,” she said.

“Darren has created a massive hole in this family that will never mend. Not once did he even say sorry.

“Dad, the day you died, a part of me died with you.”

Additional offences

The court also sentenced Steel for two further assaults connected to the same incident.

He received three years’ imprisonment for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Julian Samuel and 12 months for assaulting Dawn, his former partner. Those sentences will run concurrently.

Life sentence

For murder, Steel was handed the mandatory life sentence and must serve a minimum of 20 years before he can apply for parole.

Judge Rees warned that release is not guaranteed.

“You may never be released,” he said.

LEE SLOCOMBE, 33, previously of Delhi Street, Swansea has been sent back to prison for six years for a £400,000 fraud against nine victims, following dangerous building work he carried out at properties in Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea.

The total loss to his victims was calculated at least £547,000, after considering the costs incurred to rectify the dangerous work he carried out.

On 20^th October 2025, Slocombe pleaded guilty to two charges of participating in a fraudulent business between March 2021 and May 2023. One charge was brought directly against him, with a further charge against his company, LSP Developments. Slocombe was on Crown Court bail when these offences were committed.

In sentencing, on 11^th February 2026 Cardiff Crown Court heard that Slocombe targeted nine people seeking work to be carried out at their properties, ranging from rendering a shed to building a two‑storey extension. The work was completed to an appalling standard, with Slocombe often convincing his victims that work was required when it was not. He frequently left work incomplete, leaving victims with significant restoration bills.

His actions caused significant financial hardship to his victims, who were forced to take out loans and overdrafts and, in some instances, withdraw money from their pension pots to rectify the poor‑quality work he had carried out. Some of the victims were elderly and vulnerable.

The court heard that Slocombe has previous convictions for fraud dating from 2015 to 2023, during which time he was sent to prison on two occasions. In 2015, he was jailed for 43 months for three offences of fraud, and in 2023 he received a sentence of five years and five months after defrauding seven families of £150,000 through similar sub‑standard building work.

Slocombe was made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from carrying out building, maintenance or gardening work in the UK for life. He was also disqualified from being a company director until 2031.

Given his previous dishonesty, Slocombe used a false name when dealing with customers, calling himself Lee Lewis, to prevent them from discovering his previous convictions for similar offences.

At Cardiff Crown Court, His Honour Judge Felstead described Slocombe as a persistent rogue builder who operated dishonestly. The judge said Slocombe falsely escalated costs and that any work he did carry out was to an “appalling standard”, with some homes being “virtually destroyed”.

In two cases, Slocombe brought a fake and unqualified gas engineer to carry out work at properties, leaving them in a “potentially lethal state”. In one instance, carbon monoxide leaked into a property where a 10‑month‑old child was living.

Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council, said: “Lee Slocombe caused immense misery to his victims, carrying out sub‑standard work and leaving some properties in such a state of disrepair that they were open to the elements, not watertight and simply dangerous. The stress he caused is unimaginable, and he deserves to be sent directly back to prison.

“I would like to thank all the staff who enabled us to bring this case to court. Hopefully, this outcome provides some closure for the victims, knowing that he is where he belongs – back behind bars.”

Appeal withdrawn at Swansea Crown Court after judge hears medical evidence

A MAN has withdrawn his appeal against the revocation of his shotgun licence after a judge heard medical evidence raising concerns about public safety.

The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Feb 13) before His Honour Judge Huw Rees, Recorder of the Crown Court, where Luke Randall-Smith challenged the decision to revoke his shotgun certificate, which covered five firearms.

However, following discussions during the hearing, the appeal was formally withdrawn, leaving the revocation in place.

The court heard that police concerns were first raised after a mental health incident in May 2024.

Firearms licensing officers later contacted his GP for updated medical information.

Reports indicated that Randall-Smith had experienced obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a serious farm accident in which he discovered a colleague who had fallen from a height.

Symptoms were said to include intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Historical records also referred to a previous episode in 2008 when his OCD allegedly contributed to what was described as “significant violence” during an unprovoked incident at licensed premises. He also held a police caution for affray.

Firearms Licensing Manager Mr Phillips told the court he decided to revoke the certificate after concluding Randall-Smith was no longer fit to possess weapons.

The revocation notice stated that allowing him access to shotguns could present a risk to both himself and others.

Representing himself, Randall-Smith accepted he suffered from mental health conditions but disputed aspects of the assessment and the timeline of events.

At one stage he told the court: “I’m a really nice guy… I’m a good father.”

Judge Rees replied: “Yes, but you’ve been ill.”

He said intrusive thoughts he had described were fears rather than intentions and were symptoms of illness rather than actions.

The judge made clear the decision rested on medical evidence and public safety rather than character alone.

Randall-Smith said the firearms were of sentimental value and hoped to transfer them to another certificate holder.

After being advised the court could proceed to a full hearing or allow the appeal to be withdrawn, he chose to withdraw. The application was granted.

The revocation of the shotgun certificate therefore remains in force.