A HOME office pathologist has told a murder jury that Brent Martin died as a result of injury to his head.

Dr Jennifer Hamilton said the fatal condition was caused during a sustained beating where he suffered at least 18 blows, mostly to his head and neck.

Dr Hamilton told Newcastle Crown Court as well as the lethal head injury the 23-year-old, who had learning difficulties, had 21 abrasions, bruises and lacerations to his head and neck, eight to his arms, two to his torso, three to his leg and three to the soft tissue of his face as well as a fractured nose.

Brent died in hospital from injuries sustained in an attack in Sunderland last August.

William Hughes, 21, of Washington Road, Sunderland, and a 16-year-old youth, who cannot be named, have admitted murder.

A 17-year-old denies murder and is being tried by a jury.

Dr Hamilton told the court: "Brent Martin died as a restult of blunt head injury.

"This head injury gave rise to subdural haemorage, bleeding beneath one of the membranes of the brain, and brain swelling led to further complications."

The doctor told jurors she was satisfied it was the final, sustained attack on Brent which caused his death, rather than earlier punches thrown by his attackers on the night of the killing.

She said: "I think the earlier incidents have not caused his death but I can't exclude that they contributed in some way.

"They haven't helped, but even without those the final assault is enough to account for his death."

The trial continues.