A CORONER returned a verdict of unlawful killing yesterday on a man who was found beaten to death.

Stephen Hunter, 33, was found dead in his flat in Edenhill Road, Peterlee, County Durham, in the early hours of June 1, 2002, after being attacked.

A post-mortem examination found 38 injuries on his body.

Wayne King, 30, pleaded guilty at a trial last September to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and his brother John, 30, and David Wright, 31, both admitted assault.

At the trial, the jury was told there was no doubt that one or more of the trio killed the 33-year-old, but the evidence could not pinpoint who delivered the fatal blow.

Wayne King was given an automatic life sentence after being convicted of a similar incident in 1994 when he glassed a young woman. John King was sentenced to 15 months, and Wright was jailed for 12 months.

Yesterday, Coroner Andrew Tweddle concluded that Mr Hunter had been unlawfully killed.

The inquest, at Durham Magistrates Court, heard from Gayle Healey, who lived next door to John King in Keswick Road, Peterlee.

She said that on Friday, May 30, she heard shouting and then saw Mr Hunter fall backwards on to the grass outside King's home.

She said: "John King walked over to him and Stephen already looked unconscious. He bent over him, started laughing and then kicked him in the head three times."

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said the fight started because Mr Hunter told King he had stolen £500 from his mother, who had died that day.

Both John King and Mr Wright then attacked him.

Ambulance and police were called to the scene, but Mr Hunter refused hospital treatment, or to press charges, so police drove him home.

Several hours later, Wayne King decided to visit Mr Hunter.

Det Supt Stephenson told the inquest: "King said he became upset and began to punch Hunter."

His body was discovered the next day with a double fracture to the jaw, a broken nose and rib and severe bruising. He died as a result of a blow to the head.