Family tell of moment they found out 'loveable rogue' Sean Mason had been beaten to death

Sean Mason suffered a shocking catalogue of injuries during a "horrific" revenge beating in May, murder jurors have been told.

Prosecutors claim Wayne Froud and Steven Milroy, who ran a "drug dealing enterprise", killed Mr Mason in a "retribution" beating because they suspected he, along with others, had stolen from them.

Milroy, 47, of Avondale Avenue, and Froud, 36, of Wensleydale Avenue, both in Penshaw, deny murder and are being tried by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court.

The court heard Mr Mason's body was found on a grassed area outside the flats at Avondale Avenue in the early hours of May 16 by his son Michael, who had got concerned and gone to check on his dad.

Jurors have today heard statements from Mr Mason's partner Sharon Laing and the couple's youngest son, who was also called Sean.

Prosecutor Kama Melly QC read the statements to the jury.

Miss Laing said in her statement, which was made in July: "Sean and I have two children together, Michael and Sean.

"I have known Sean since I was 13 and he was 14 and we instantly took to each other.

"I became aware Sean had been in and out of care and at some point spent a period of time in a detention centre."

Miss Laing said Mr Mason was in prison when their first son Michael was born, but the couple stayed together for the next 28 years, until his death.

She added; "Although we never married were were lifelong partners.

"Throughout his younger life Sean was often in trouble with the police.

"He would never look for trouble but certainly wouldn't walk away from it.

"He was a loveable rogue."

Miss Laing said Mr Mason spent time in prison as a younger man but added: "Even when he couldn't physically be with me, he was my soulmate."

Miss Laing said the last time she saw Mr Mason was when he was sweeping up outside their home and she went to bed on May 15.

She said the next thing she knew, her son Michael woke her in the early hours of the morning and added: "Michael came rushing in and said something like 'my dad has been hurt'.

"He told me had had flagged down the police and he said something like 'I think my dad has been killed'.

"I told him not to leave his dad and he left again.

"He was only in the house for a few seconds. I think I gave him his inhaler and a drink.

"I contacted my other son Sean."

In his statement, Sean Mason jnr said he and his partner took a taxi to his parents' home after he received the call and then walked to the place where his dad had been found but was stopped by the police.

Mr Mason said the police took him back to his parents' home and told him his dad had been taken to the RVI, so he and his partner took a taxi to the hospital.

He added in the statement, which was also made in July: "At hospital I was told I couldn't see dad so I waited. I can't remember how long.

"A doctor took us into a room and told me my dad was dead.

"I was stunned.

"I couldn't and still can't believe it.

"I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt my dad.

"He wasn't perfect but was a polite and kind person."

The trial continues.

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