A plasterer who murdered his identical twin brother in a drunken row on New Year's Eve has been jailed for life.
Robert Cerqua, 32, was convicted at Winchester Crown Court of killing his brother Christopher.
The trial heard that Cerqua stabbed his twin in a "fit of temper" after a row at their family home in Hythe, Hampshire, on December 31 last year.
Judge Mr Justice Teare said: "His death and its consequences have had, and will continue to have, a devastating effect on your parents and those close to you.
"You grew up with your brother and from time to time worked with him in the building trade.
"When you were both sober, it seems you got on well. But when each of you had too much alcohol, there was a risk an argument might break out leading to violence."
The court heard that Cerqua had served prison sentences for offences of battery and affray involving his former partners. He also had previous convictions for motoring offences and criminal damage.
Nicholas Haggan QC told the trial that the twins' parents, Peter and Denise Cerqua, were at the property when the fight broke out in the kitchen.
He said the defendant fled bare-foot and called his girlfriend, who took him to a friend's party where he continued drinking.
Cerqua turned off his mobile phone while at the party, but was traced to the address by police and arrested.
He inflicted a seven-inch stab wound to his brother's lower stomach, but told police he had acted in self-defence.
The court heard DNA found on the knife matched both the defendant and his brother because they shared the same DNA profile as identical twins.
A blood test showed Christopher had 230mg of alcohol in 80ml of blood - nearly three times the drink-drive limit.
Cerqua had told police he had a "fiery relationship" with his brother, and drinking alcohol made him "short-tempered".
Detective Inspector Simon Baker, of Hampshire Police, 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 prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex, added: "His parents had to deal with the tragedy that will change their lives for ever.
"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."
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