Middlesbrough man killed by heavy punch to his ribs

Trenton Marlowe punched Darren Saunders to his ribs, a blow which ultimately led to the 52-year-old’s death.

The 25-year-old turned up at the victim’s home in Middlesbrough before screaming and shouting ‘stop lying about it’ at Mr Saunders shortly before the assault began.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the victim screamed out in pain and was unable to move from the property where he later died in, on Essex Street in Middlesbrough.

He remained seated on the sofa throughout the attack with witnesses telling police that he never fought back and told Marlowe ‘I’m not lying’ before the onslaught began on January 22 this year.

Darren Saunders (Image: Cleveland Police)

After the attack, Marlowe left the property that was frequently being used by drug users to smoke crack cocaine.

For the rest of the morning, Darren struggled to walk, was sick and complained of being in pain. He remained on the sofa appearing to be asleep while people continued to come and go from the property.

Mr Saunders was later found dead in his home where he was killed and the police were called.

A post-mortem uncovered the extent of Darren’s injuries and found his cause of death was a rupture to his spleen that led to large internal bleeding.

Trenton Marlowe (Image: Cleveland Police)

Marlowe, of Langsett Avenue in Park End, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing.

Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced the defendant to nine years and 11 months in prison and five years on an extended licence.

Speaking at the sentencing, Darren’s mother, Rita Saunders, said: “The day I heard Darren had died my whole world fell apart.

“I miss him dreadfully, long to see his cheeky smile and it is very difficult to get through each day without him in my life.

“I do hope the person who took my son’s life away, from me and my family, realise the devastation and despair they have caused to us.

“Our lives will never be the same again.”

The body of Darren Saunders was discovered in a house on Essex Street, in Middlesbrough. (Image: Google Maps)

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Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth, from Cleveland Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Darren’s life was taken away purely at the hands of Marlowe.

“While we may never know why he chose to act so violently, we do know his actions have caused such a devastating loss to Darren’s family and friends.

“To help them come to terms with losing Darren we have been able to put behind bars the man responsible for taking away his life and at the same time spare them from having to sit through a trial.

“Our thoughts continue to be with Darren’s mother Rita and all of his family during what has and continues to be a difficult time.”