Funeral held for '£5 bet' victim

Brent Martin's family described him as a "gentle giant"

Hundreds of mourners have paid their respects at the funeral of a disabled man kicked and punched to death for a £5 bet.

Brent Martin, 23, was chased across two housing estates in Sunderland by three people he thought were his friends.

A 21-year-old man and two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, face sentencing for his murder last August.

Mr Martin's parents were joined at the service on Wednesday by health workers who had looked after their son.

Father Geoffrey Driver, of the city's St Bede's Church, said: "The family have had to wait so long, this day is very special for them so they can now finally lay him to rest.

"They can look forward to the future with some form of optimism as opposed to the negativity that they have had to suffer for the last few months.

"But the pain will never leave them - it will always be there."

Brent Martin was chased across two housing estates

The "gentle giant", who had learning difficulties, suffered a series of brutal attacks before being left for dead.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Martin died from a massive head injury after enduring at least 18 separate blows to the head and neck during the onslaught.

William Hughes, 21, from Sunderland and a youth, aged 16, admitted murder. The 17-year-old was convicted of murder at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month.

All three have been warned they face a mandatory life sentence. Sentencing will take place at a later date.