Two violent brothers who killed a man with a Samurai sword were today beginning life sentences for his murder.

Danny Clarke, 28, from Southend, and brother Lee, 34, lured victim Glenn Sharpe to a south Essex pub car park and plunged the Oriental blade through his body.

Mr Sharpe, 23, was killed after he voiced an objection to Danny Clarke's "violent and tempestuous" relationship with his half-sister Denise Draper.

The brothers, in their defence at the Old Bailey, each claimed the other was wielding the sword.

But the jury rejected their claims and found them both guilty of murder.

Sentencing them to life, Judge Martin Stephens QC said: "It was a vicious and horrible crime committed by two heartless men."

The brothers showed no emotion as they were sentenced.

Miss Draper, 20, had given birth to a son by Danny Clarke, of Beresford Road, Southend, in August 2001.

On the evening of the attack Mr Sharpe went to a colleague's leaving party at the Old Shant pub in London Road, Grays, where the brothers were lying in wait.

William Clegg, QC, prosecuting, said: "Glenn was lured outside by Danny and Lee Clarke drove the sword through the body of Glenn."

Despite the efforts of paramedics Mr Sharpe, of Seabrooke Rise, Grays, was announced dead on January 5, last year.

Labourer Lee Clarke of Parsonage Road, West Thurrock, and Danny Clarke both denied murder.

Lee Clarke told the jury his brother had stabbed the victim and then confessed: "It was an accident."

Mr Sharpe's mother, 42-year-old Kelly Downes from Grays, said: "Glenn was a devoted son, brother and a father who adored his family, and us him.

"We are devastated and miss him desperately."

Published Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo