Killer's mother washed clothes to remove blood of his victim

Dec 17 2008 The Journal

THE mother of a teenage killer has been given a suspended jail term for washing clothes to remove his victim's blood.

Marcus Miller and two accomplices kicked, punched, headbutted and stamped on defenceless Brent Martin in a prolonged drink-fuelled attack across two Sunderland housing estates.

Prosecutors told how the three youths set upon 23-year-old Mr Martin, who had learning difficulties, “like a pack of animals” for their own entertainment, leaving him for dead in a pool of blood in the street.

Miller, then 16, of Baxter Road, Town End Farm, Sunderland, was ordered to be detained for life and serve at least 13 years behind bars before being considered for parole.

Co-accused William Hughes, 22, of Washington Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 19 years in jail and Stephen Bonallie, 17, of Birtley Avenue, Town End Farm, detained for life, with a 15-year minimum. Miller and Hughes had admitted murder and Bonallie was convicted after a trial in January.

Miller’s mother Gillian McGrath, of Baxter Road, had initially denied perverting the course of justice by washing some of her son’s bloodied clothing after the August 2007 attack.

But she later admitted the offence on the basis that when she put the washing on, she had no idea of the severity of the injuries inflicted upon Mr Martin, who died from brain damage.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday how McGrath had spent more than two months in hospital earlier this year after suffering a breakdown and remained in a “fragile” mental state still struggling to cope. The 48-year-old, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a two-year community order. Passing sentence, Judge Brian Forster told her: “This was a killing which shocked the whole community. It was the senseless killing of an innocent young man.

“You were aware that Brent Martin had been attacked. It is clear from all the information available to me that you could not have known he would die from the injuries he sustained.

“It is clear from the reports that your life has been shattered by the involvement of your son in this killing and as a result of your subsequent participation in this offence.”

Mr Martin’s mother Brenda Martin, 63, was at court for the hearing. Speaking afterwards clearly distressed, she said: “It is disgusting what has happened. Her son can come back. I will never get my son back.”