THE BODY of a man allegedly murdered by his brother in his Workington home was found by his elderly mother, a court heard.

Thirty-nine-year-old George Leon Blaney - known to family and friends as 'Leon' - was found in his bed at his home in Garnet Crescent, Salterbeck, last Tuesday afternoon, the court heard.

His brother Sean Blaney, 37, has been charged with his murder.

Court papers allege that the defendant murdered his brother at some point after Sunday, June 21.

During a 'virtual' hearing before a senior crown court judge today, Crown Prosecution Service barrister Francis McEntee outlined the prosecution case, but defence barrister Brendan Burke stressed that Sean Blaney will deny the murder allegation.

The court heard that Leon Blaney's body was found by his 70-year-old mother Susan Blaney. He is said to have suffered a "sustained" attack.

The judge, His Honour Mark Brown, the Recorder of Preston, set a timetable for the case.

The defendant of Shore Terrace, Salterbeck, spoke only to confirm his personal details and to say that he could hear the proceedings.

Judge Brown ruled that a trial - expected to last between five and seven days - should get underway on January 18 next year.

He remanded Sean Blaney in custody until the next hearing - set for October 19, when the defendant will be expected to enter his plea to the murder charge.

When the tragedy became pubic, Leon Blaney's family paid tribute to him.

In a statement, they said: "We have taken comfort from the thousands of messages we have received and we would like to request privacy at this difficult time.”

The Salterbeck community has been left deeply shocked by the tragedy.