Footballer's brother in gun death

The shocked partner of ex-England soccer star Barry Venison's younger brother told yesterday how he began "smashing up" their home two days before he was found dead from shotgun wounds.

Sharon Ridley said that when David Venison got into a temper last Friday night, she feared she and their three young children would be killed, and they fled the house and spent the weekend at a women's refuge. Mr Venison, who is thought to have killed himself, was depressed after the death of his mother Vedia, 52, whose funeral was held last week, she said. Mr Venison's body was found when his father and an uncle forced their way into the house on Sunday.

Ms Ridley said she was speaking out to deny media suggestions about his death and that he resented the fame of his brother Barry (pictured), now a Southampton player.