Pooka
01-22-08, 06:02 PM
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.
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.
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.
During his trial, the court heard that the 17-year-old defendant later told witnesses: "I am not going down for a muppet."
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.
"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."
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.
'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.
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.
"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.
No date has yet been set for her trial.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/7202351.stm)
:newburn:
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.
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.
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."
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.
"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."
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.
'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.
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.
"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.
No date has yet been set for her trial.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/7202351.stm)
:newburn: