Mrs Martin wept as her son Brent's ordeal was relived in court, and there were cheers as his killers were led away to start their sentences.

Today Mrs Martin said: "They will come out of prison as young men, but I will never see Brent again. I can only visit his grave, but he will always be in my heart.

"When they summed the case up it was heartbreaking to hear about a 5ft 11 lad being chased by three horrible monsters.

"At first I was disappointed with the sentencing. Other people cheered, but I went in there and expected life to mean life."

Brent, 23, was beaten to death for fun by the three "animals" he regarded as friends.

During the sadistic killing he sobbed and pleaded with his attackers to be his friend, even telling them he loved them, until his life was beaten out of him with a flurry of kicks and stamps to his head.

Two of his tormentors were trained boxers – one even kissed his fists before knocking him out cold.

William Hughes, 21, Marcus Miller, 16, admitted murder and Stephen Bonallie, 17, was found guilty after a trial.

Yesterday, as Mrs Martin and her family and friends left Newcastle Crown Court, supporters raised a glass of champagne to the tragic lad, who the judge described as a "gentle and caring person, greatly missed by his loving family".

The killers were before Judge John Milford yesterday when he was told youth homicide convictions in the Northumbria Police force area have doubled in the past five years.

The judge said this was of "grave concern" and questioned whether the 12-year starting point for juveniles convicted of murder was an effective deterrent.

The judge held back from passing longer than normal deterrent sentences, saying he hoped the long tariffs the youths must serve would be enough to help prevent youth homicide.

Judge Milford said Hughes must serve at least 22 years before he can be considered for parole, Bonallie at least 18 and Miller at least 15.

The judge said: "I would hope the minimum terms imposed are sufficiently long to spell out to young people the consequences of committing murder.

"If I be wrong, then perhaps the 12-year starting point for those under 18 needs to be looked at again by Parliament when the murder is, as in this case, particularly serious."

Brent had learning difficulties and had told the gang he just wanted to be their mate.

But the gang, two of whom were boxers aged 16 and 17 and the other aged 21, rained blows into Brent's face purely "for sport".

Throughout the prolonged and savage attack, Brent pleaded for the youths not to hit him.

The court heard how after the violence the trio humiliated their dying victim by pulling down his trousers and underpants.

Speaking outside the court, Brent's heartbroken mum said: "Seeing my child on life support in the hospital after the attack was horrific. No mother should ever have to be put through that nightmare.

"We were told from the outset that Brent was brain dead and to expect him to die. It took two days for this to happen and we kept a bedside vigil. I'm thankful at least we had time to say goodbye. Brent died in my arms in the early hours of Saturday August 25, 2007."

The court heard all three youth were bragging and "seemed pleased with themselves" immediately after the attack and even asked one of their pals to take a picture of them together.

The judge warned the gang they would only be released when deemed safe to be back on the streets by the parole board.

The judge told them: "You left him lying there and lifted no finger to help him.You seemed in a state of some elation and went on with your lives, he died from injuries."


How horrific attack unfolded

NEWCASTLE Crown Court was told how the horrific attack unfolded.
Brent met the gang behind the Washington Road bus stop at the foot of Bunny Hill.

The attackers bet each other £5 to see whether they could knock out Brent "with a single punch".

Miller had asked which hand he should use, then kissed his left then right fists and knocked Brent unconscious to the floor, splitting his lip.

When Brent came round Miller hit him again, and Bonnallie walked towards him, and said "watch this, knock out with an uppercut", the court heard.

Hughes then punched Brent, who again fell senseless to the floor.
When he recovered Miller told him: "Stay with us and nothing else will happen."

The group walked to the nearby Boozebuster shop where Brent sat on a low wall, his lip bleeding.

Bonallie then punched him in the face and pushed him backwards off the wall.

The court heard how a girl who was with the group went to help Brent up "and he was crying and saying sorry and telling all the lads they were canny and they were his mates".

He told Bonallie: "I love you; me, you, mates," the court heard.
Hughes then attacked Brent, punching him several times, and when he ran told Bonallie: "You go and kick him all over," the court heard.

The pair chased Brent and when they caught him all three attacked him mercilessly, repeatedly punching him, stamping on his head and kicking him in the ribs.

They left him on the floor unconscious and when a girl with the group went to see whether he was all right she found him lying in a pool of blood, "making snorting noises"' and breathing very fast.

Hughes then stamped on his head and ribs.

The group then dragged his unconscious body to the side of the road where he was propped against a parked car.