This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wear/7202351.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Boy guilty of disabled man murder | Boy guilty of disabled man murder |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A teenager has been convicted of the murder of a disabled man who was kicked to death by a gang "for sport". | A teenager has been convicted of the murder of a disabled man who was kicked to death by a gang "for sport". |
| Brent Martin, 23, who had learning difficulties, died in hospital after being found in a pool of blood on Sunderland's Town End Farm estate. | Brent Martin, 23, who had learning difficulties, died in hospital after being found in a pool of blood on Sunderland's Town End Farm estate. |
| The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, and two others beat their victim in a £5 bet over who could knock him out, Newcastle Crown Court heard. | The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, and two others beat their victim in a £5 bet over who could knock him out, Newcastle Crown Court heard. |
| William Hughes, 21, and a youth, aged 16, have already admitted murder. | William Hughes, 21, and a youth, aged 16, have already admitted murder. |
| The teenagers, who trained as boxers, repeatedly punched, kicked, stamped on and head-butted their victim. | The teenagers, who trained as boxers, repeatedly punched, kicked, stamped on and head-butted their victim. |
| A post-mortem examination revealed he died from a massive head injury and had suffered at least 18 separate blows to the head and neck. | A post-mortem examination revealed he died from a massive head injury and had suffered at least 18 separate blows to the head and neck. |
| During his trial, the court heard that the 17-year-old defendant later told witnesses: "I am not going down for a muppet." | During his trial, the court heard that the 17-year-old defendant later told witnesses: "I am not going down for a muppet." |
| They behaved like a pack of animals - they did this for their own sport Toby Hedworth QC | They behaved like a pack of animals - they did this for their own sport Toby Hedworth QC |
| Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting said: "This young man had learning disabilities and had spent nine years of his life in psychiatric hospitals. | Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting said: "This young man had learning disabilities and had spent nine years of his life in psychiatric hospitals. |
| "He was systematically attacked, demeaned, head butted and beaten by people whom he misguidedly believed to be his friends. | "He was systematically attacked, demeaned, head butted and beaten by people whom he misguidedly believed to be his friends. |
| "They behaved like a pack of animals. | "They behaved like a pack of animals. |
| "Brent Martin never lifted an aggressive finger towards them and they did that to him until he was dead. They did that for their own sport." | "Brent Martin never lifted an aggressive finger towards them and they did that to him until he was dead. They did that for their own sport." |
| He was vulnerable and they thought he was soft - he did not retaliate - if he had he would be here today Brenda Martin, mother | |
| His mother Brenda said her son was dead because he did not fight back. | |
| She said: "He had such an impish smile and thought everyone was his friend. | |
| "He spent eight years in hospital and was very short-sighted and had a lot to learn and cope with, with his disabilities. | |
| "He was very pleased to come out of hospital and see the lads - but things had changed. | |
| "He was a gentle giant and they thought he was a simpleton. | |
| "He was vulnerable and they thought he was soft - he did not retaliate - if he had he would be here today." | |
| The jury of eight men and four women took four hours to convict the teenager, who sat emotionless as he was found guilty. | The jury of eight men and four women took four hours to convict the teenager, who sat emotionless as he was found guilty. |
| 'No mercy' | 'No mercy' |
| Judge John Milford QC warned the defendant and his two co-accused, who were not in court, they faced a mandatory life sentence. | Judge John Milford QC warned the defendant and his two co-accused, who were not in court, they faced a mandatory life sentence. |
| Sentencing will take place at a later date. | Sentencing will take place at a later date. |
| Mr Hedworth added: "As the attack went on, its nature, ferocity and perseverance made it quite clear they were not happy until he was dead. | Mr Hedworth added: "As the attack went on, its nature, ferocity and perseverance made it quite clear they were not happy until he was dead. |
| "At that time they were using that violence towards him they had no such sensibility, no restraint, no qualms and no mercy." | "At that time they were using that violence towards him they had no such sensibility, no restraint, no qualms and no mercy." |
| The mother of the 16-year-old has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by washing her son's bloodstained clothes. | The mother of the 16-year-old has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by washing her son's bloodstained clothes. |
| No date has yet been set for her trial. | No date has yet been set for her trial. |