Revealed: Mother KEPT the 8ft snake that killed her son - the first person in Britain to be killed by a python - as she insists 'his baby' called Tiny 'loved him'

The 8ft python Tiny that crushed a man in a 'show of affection' after it escaped from its case was kept by the animal lover's mother, it was revealed today. 

Keen snake handler Dan Brandon died of asphyxiation in the bedroom of his home in Church Crookham, Hampshire, last August - making him the person in Britain to be killed by a python. 

His mother Babs said he kept ten snakes and 12 tarantulas in his room at the home and had had Tiny, an African rock python which was his 'baby', since she was small enough to fit in his hand. 

Tiny is now believed to be in the care of Mrs Brandon, who said she is now looking after all of her son's snakes. The snake was examined by a reptile expert at the Brandons' home in November. Coroner Andrew Bradley recorded a verdict of misadventure at Basingstoke Coroners' Court today, saying: 

'We have nothing apart from Tiny so I have to accept she is instrumental in Dan's death. 

'I do not believe in any way it was aggression from Tiny nor a confrontation - if anything it was a show of affection, a moment of peace.' 

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