33-year-old Carl Eldred appeared before Judge Adele Williams at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday [5 April].
The father-of-two admitted to killing his older brother following a row in a taxi just after Christmas but pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed at the hearing that they would not be pursuing Mr Eldred on the more serious charge of murder, but Judge Williams ordered that it be left on file.
The court had heard how Eldred’s 36-year-old brother, Lee, from Tonbridge, died following a traumatic blow to the side of the head after the brothers argued in a taxi on the A26 near Hadlow Manor Hotel.
Kent Police and the ambulance service were called shortly after 10.30pm on 28 December but Lee Eldred was pronounced dead at the scene and Carl Eldred was arrested for murder.
Mr Eldred, who runs a panel beating firm in Plaxtol, was remanded in custody.
Judge Williams said he will now be sentenced in May when a letter from the men’s mother is expected to be read in full.
