Murder suspect admits to jury that he attacked victim - but said he was 'alright' when he left the scene

Sean Mason suffered a shocking catalogue of injuries during a brutal beating in May and died from head and facial injuries, murder trial 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.

Speaking from the witness box, Froud has admitted he threw "about five" punches at Mr Mason when he arrived at Milroy's flat and took a video recording of the injured man on a phone.

Jurors, who have seen footage and heard Froud tell Mr Mason during the recording "Goodnight, God bless, that's all I've got to say to you boy, goodbye".

Froud told jurors he had confronted and punched Mr Mason before the recording was taken but said the meaning behind his words was "that's it, I wash my hands with you, get yourself away".

Froud told the court after the punches he threw at Mr Mason: "He was alright, he was on his feet, he was standing."

He told jurors Mr Mason and Milroy started arguing after the punches he dished out.

Froud added: "I said I've had enough of this, that's enough for me like, I'm out. I wanted nothing more to do with it."

Froud said Mr Mason was alive when he left the flat and "went about my business".

He added: "At no time at all did I think Sean Mason was going to die, not at all. That's why I left and got on with my day."

Froud denied having any intention to kill or cause serious harm when questioned by his barrister Dapinder Singh QC.

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

The trial continues.

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