THE cousin of murder victim Stephen Lambert said she tried to save his life after he was stabbed five times in a "barbaric" attack by two brothers in Risca.

Louise Whatley, 45, says she still has nightmares about the incident after seeing Mr Lambert, known as Lammy, covered in blood.

Raymond Ball, 33, of Twmbarlwm Close, Risca and Gavin Harris, 28, of Holly Road, Risca, both admitted murdering Stephen Lambert on August 27 last year.

Cardiff Crown Court heard yesterday that the trio had been listening to music and drinking at Mr Lambert’s flat in Twmbarlwm Close when he asked the defendants to leave.

The court heard the pair grabbed kitchen knives and stabbed the 36-year-old five times.

Mrs Whatley, of Brithdir, said: "I looked after him [Mr Lambert] for 10 years.

"He was very loving, he was always there for me, he wasn't an angel, he did have a drink problem but he was cutting down.

"I used to go down on the weekends and stay with him, I'd help him out and make him dinner."

Mrs Whatley added that Mr Lambert did not have a bad bone in his body and even during the incident, he was more concerned about her.

She added: "He was shouting, 'you're frightening our Lou to death'. He must've said it eight or nine times."

The mother-of-two said she was relieved that she did not have to give evidence in a trial and was glad the half-brothers pleaded guilty.

"Nothing will bring back Stephen whatever sentence they get," she added. "What they did was barbaric and totally horrific in my eyes, especially when they knew I was sat there.

"They completely blanked me out."

She added: "There are no words to describe what I feel about Ray.

"He is the lowest of the low.

"I was being sick in the bathroom, I was screaming. I knew something bad had happened, I saw the knife go through his chest.

"I heard them running down stairs and I came out the bathroom.

"The state I saw was horrendous, there was so much blood."

Mrs Whatley added she tried to stop Mr Lambert from losing blood by putting pressure on his wounds.

"There are some days I cry a lot because I tried my hardest to save him," she added.

The brothers will be sentenced this afternoon.