A TEENAGER told a court yesterday how she watched from the doorway as an elderly sex offender was kicked and stamped to death in his living room.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, said she was walking through Queen Street, Redcar, east Cleveland, with Adrian Brown and Thomas Croft, both 42, when Mr Brown kicked his way into the home of 73-year-old Arnold Hartley.

Newcastle Crown Court has heard how Mr Hartley, who had served a 12-month prison sentence for sex attacks on children, was already a target for vigilante attacks.

The teenager told jurors how Mr Brown went inside the house, followed by Mr Croft, and then she heard someone shouting for help.

She said that she saw Mr Hartley on the floor with Mr Brown standing over him.

When asked by Paul Sloan QC, prosecuting, if Mr Brown was doing anything she replied: "Yes, he was stamping on the man's face."

Mr Sloan asked her how many times she saw him do that and she replied: "About five times. It was like sharp, one after the other. I said pack it in because you are going to kill him. I shouted it twice.

"I said he was dead and Adi (Adrian Brown) turned around and said 'he isn't'."

The teenager said she could see blood on Mr Hartley's face and that Mr Croft had also tried to pull Mr Brown off his victim, but he continued to stamp on him regardless.

The court has been told how after the killing Mr Brown laughed about what he had done and boasted to a friend: "He got what he deserves and all paedophiles should suffer the same."

Mr Brown, of Station Road, Redcar, denies murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial continues.