THE family of a disabled man who was beaten to death in an alleyway in an apparently motiveless attack have begged his killer to tell them why he did it.

Stephen Humphries, 53, was so fiercely beaten in the attack - which took place behind the Nags Head pub, in Darlington, last October - that virtually every bone in his head was broken. He was left virtually unrecognisable afterwards.

His murderer, John McCallum, 17, admitted punching Mr Humphries in the face, slamming his head against a wall, and kicking and stamping on his head more than a dozen times.

The teenager, who was handed a life sentence at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, also took off his victim's trousers, rifled through his wallet, and set fire to the victim's coat close to the body.

However, although McCallum admitted the attack - which hardened police officers said was one of the worst they had seen - he did not give any indication of a motive. No reason was offered in court for the attack, for which he has been ordered to serve a minimum of ten years.

Last night, those close to Mr Humphries begged McCallum - who did not have a history of violence - to reveal what happened on the night of October 6.

Yvonne Britton, who was Mr Humphries carer in Darlington for 18 years, said his family and friends now wanted answers.

"I think he (McCallum) should tell us why he did it. He's pleaded guilty to murder so he knows he has done it, but yet he hasn't said why," she said.

"We've heard all sorts of rumours, as I'm sure everyone has, about what went on, but we don't know what to believe.

"Stephen was a man with learning difficulties and could not stand up for himself properly, so we need to know what happened. We deserve some truth now."

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, of Durham Police, said McCallum was the only one who could reveal his motive. Speaking after McCallum was sentenced, he said: "The family are disappointed that no motive has been given.

"It is only the deceased, Stephen Humphries, and his attacker, John McCallum, who can tell us."