A MAN with learning difficulties who was savagely attacked by a gang of youths was stripped from the waist down before being left to die.

Martin Brent, 23, who was punched and kicked in what police described as a "sustained and brutal beating" in Sunderland on Thursday night, died in hospital at the weekend.

One family member said: "They stripped him of his trousers and underwear. They're just perverts."

And his heartbroken mother, Brenda, pledged to find his killers, whispering "justice will be done" to her son as he died.

Mr Brent, who suffered multiple injuries was found unconscious and half-naked by shocked neighbours in Town End Farm.

Police arrested five people in connection with the murder - a 17-year-old youth and an adult woman have been bailed, while three males, aged 21, 17 and 16, remain in custody on suspicion of murder.

A close family member, who did not want to be identified, said they were horrified when details of the violent assault had been revealed to them.

The relative said Mr Brent had been kicked repeatedly and had items of his clothes removed.

The attack happened just a few metres from the home of his uncle, Norman Dodds.

Mr Brent's family kept a bedside vigil as he lay unconscious in the city's Royal Hospital, where he lost his fight for life on Saturday morning.

Mr Brent, who had learning difficulties, had only recently moved back to Sunderland to live with his mother, Brenda, and 23-year-old twin-sister Danielle.

He had been living with his sister, Beverley, in Newcastle.

The relative said: "He was a lovely lad and a genuinely nice person. You never saw him standing on street corners, getting into trouble with the police or drinking.

"He had a family that loved him very much and he was brought up to be polite."

Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am very pleased with the response from the local community. The people of Town End Farm have been excellent in coming forward and providing us with information to help with the investigation."