Robert Cerqua guilty of murdering twin brother Christopher after row in family home in Hythe

In normal circumstances, identical twin brothers Robert and Christopher Cerqua would have most likely have marked their 32nd birthdays together - and with their parents Denise and Pete.

But instead the couple are having to face the heartbreaking reality of life without their children - with one dead at the hands of the other who is today set to be jailed for life.

Jurors yesterday returned a majority verdict ruling that Robert Cerqua, above, was guilty of brutally murdering his brother Christopher by stabbing him to death.

Once “inseparable”, Winchester Crown Court had heard how the pair would go fishing, play golf, and work together, but their relationship became “fiery” in recent years and became violent when both had been drinking.

It ended in tragedy on New Year's Eve last year when Robert plunged a knife into his brother's abdomen, causing devastating internal injuries that proved fatal.

The court heard how the devastating scenes unfolded before their parents as the brothers fought, having downed cans of beer in the kitchen of their family home in Langdown Road, Hythe.

As mum Denise made a desperate 999 call, she could only beg emergency services to help her as she described how Robert had picked up a four-inch kitchen knife and thrust it into the stomach of Christopher, pictured below.

The fatal stab wound measured between 15 and 17cms, the tract having pierced one of his body's major arteries - delivered with such force the handle of the knife snapped off.

And as he lay dying on the kitchen floor, a panicked Robert fled the house without any footwear and made his way to a New Year's Eve party in Totton.

Robert had maintained he had acted in self defence, with jurors hearing how he wasn't aware why he was in police custody or that his brother was dead until he sobered up the following day.

But his story was not to be believed by the jury, who took 16 hours deliberating before they returned their verdict yesterday afternoon.

Standing in the dock, Robert, below, showed no emotion as the foreman returned their decision, but wails could be heard coming from the public gallery.

It was the final tragic episode for the Cerqua family - with nobody certain what sparked the last argument between the brothers.

• THE detective who led the enquiry today said there were no winners for a family that had been torn apart.

Speaking after the verdict, Detective Inspector Simon Baker, below, said: “This is a double tragedy for the family who have lost one son and now have another who has been convicted of killing him. Our thoughts remain with Christopher's family and friends.”

Julia Woodward, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Wessex added that, for the family, what had happened would “change their lives forever”.

She said: “There is little doubt that Robert Cerqua regrets that moment of anger when he decided to take a knife and stab his brother.

“It may be that he did not intend to kill his brother but it was the prosecution case that he was guilty of the murder of his brother as he intended to cause him grievous bodily harm which led to Christopher's death.

“Our thoughts go with Christopher and Robert's parents at this very difficult time.”

•  “HE'S stabbed him”.

They were the words of Denise Cerqua, mum of of twins Robert and Christopher, moments after the fatal incident took place.

In one of the most harrowing parts of the two-week trial in Winchester Crown Court, a recording of a frantic Denise, pictured below with husband Peter, on the phone to the emergency services was played out in evidence.

The court heard her pleading for police help as her sons could be heard fighting in the background.

And in a heart sinking moment, their father Pete shouts out “he's stabbed him”.

Denise relays “he's stabbed him - he's been stabbed” to the operator and be heard crying as she gives details of the horrifying scenes playing out in their kitchen.

To listen to the 13-minute 999 recording click here.

In it, Denise gives a description of her son Robert, who had fled the house, and tells her husband to apply pressure on the wound as Christopher lay dying on the kitchen floor, calling out in pain.