Man admits homeless man's murder

Homeless Barry Sewell was found beaten to death and dumped

A 21-year-old is facing a life sentence after admitting the "ferocious" murder of a homeless man on Wearside.

Brian Kearney, battered "harmless" Barry Sewell to death last December then pretended to discover his body, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Kearney, of Morgan Street, Southwick, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to murder and will be sentenced on Thursday.

Northumbria Police said the 49-year-old victim, found in a derelict building, suffered "unimaginable violence."

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Napier, who led the murder hunt, said: "Barry Sewell pursued an unconventional lifestyle and was basically a harmless man who was well known around Southwick.

"He was a totally innocent and defenceless victim who was subjected to a completely unprovoked and vicious attack of the most unimaginable violence.

Murderer Brian Kearney is facing a life sentence

"Only Kearney knows why he carried out the attack and saw fit to inflict horrendous and degrading injuries to Mr Sewell."

He said after the murder Kearney tried to cover his tracks by pretending to discover the body, but this plan back-fired.

Following the plea hearing on Tuesday, a statement paying tribute to Mr Sewell was released by his family.

It said: "Barry was a much loved son, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who came from a large family.

"In his later years he did have his problems and chose to live outdoors, a way of life he enjoyed.

"But it does not matter what problems he had, no one deserved to die in this terrible way."