A person killed in a horror highway crash on New Yr’s Eve was a member of a gang that was jailed for the homicide of a susceptible, disabled man, MailOnline can reveal.
Stephen Bonallie, 32, died within the smash within the early hours after the silver Audi A6 he was travelling in hit a tree on the A167 in County Durham.
Bonallie was a part of a gang of three younger males who killed 23-year-old Brent Martin in Sunderland in August 2007.
Now, Brent’s heartbroken mom, Brenda Martin, says the loss of life of her son’s killer was an act of God.
Stephen Bonallie died in a crash when his Audi A6 left the highway and collided with a tree subsequent to the A167 on New Yr’s Eve
MailOnline can reveal Bonallie was beforehand jailed for killing Brent Martin (pictured) in August 2007
‘It’s extremely unhappy for each households. Jesus works in humorous methods. Stephen Bonallie was punished, which is simply proper,’ Ms Martin, a 77-year-old grandmother, mentioned.
‘He was punished by somebody greater up. I used to be instructed about Stephen’s loss of life by my youngsters.
‘My daughter posted about it on-line saying how sorry she was for the heartache it introduced his mother and father.
‘He did a nasty factor however individuals do not forget. You study to dwell with what occurred, you have to.
‘The ache by no means goes away, it has been 15 years since he died. Brent is with us on daily basis in some ways.’
Mr Martin was killed over a £5 guess when the trio challenged one another to see who may knock him out first.
The surprising crime noticed the 23-year-old kicked and stamped on, earlier than being left to die together with his pants round his ankles.
William Hughes, then 21, Marcus Miller, then 16, and Bonallie, then 17, had been convicted of homicide in 2008. Bonallie was jailed for no less than 18 years and was launched from jail final yr.
Bonallie, pictured right here in his police muugshot in 2008, had been jailed for all times for Mr Martin’s homicide
Bonallie was a part of a violent group, two of whom had been skilled boxers and delivered blows into Mr Martin’s face purely ‘for sport.’
All through the extended assault Brent pleaded for the gang to not hit him as a result of he thought they had been his mates.
Bonallie’s 18-year sentence was lower to solely 14 years following a overview by a Excessive Court docket decide after he had made ‘distinctive and unexpected’ progress in jail.
Posting on social media, Mr Martin’s twin sister, Danielle Flynn, mentioned: ‘That is Stephen Bonallie, one of many three who murdered my twin brother.
‘This yr, when he was launched I spent it upset, indignant he was getting to begin his life once more when he was an enormous half in my brother dropping his.
‘Nonetheless I discovered yesterday morning in disbelief that he died in a automobile accident (sic). I spent the day with combined feelings completely happy, unhappy, gutted and so forth….
‘God works in mysterious methods and I feel it involves us all. I assume its as a result of I am human I know what it feels prefer to lose a brother and my mom is aware of what it feels prefer to lose a son so condolences to his household.
‘To all my mates and Household have a Joyful New Yr!!!’
The convicted killer, previously of Birtley Avenue, Sunderland, was launched final yr.
Mr Martin’s twin sister Danielle Flynn, pictured right here, mentioned on social media that ‘God works in mysterious methods’
Bonallie was driving on the A167 between Whitesmocks and Sniperley when the automobile left the highway and collided with a tree simply earlier than 2am.
Regardless of the most effective efforts of the emergency companies, he was pronounced lifeless at hospital.
One other man, in his 30s, who was additionally within the automobile, stays hospitalised in crucial situation.
In an announcement Bonallie’s household mentioned: ‘It’s with deepest remorse that we announce the loss of life of our Stephen James Bonallie, 32 years, who was concerned in a tragic highway visitors collision on the A167, Durham, on the morning of Saturday, December 31, 2022.
‘He was a a lot liked son, brother, boyfriend, nephew, uncle, brother-in-law and cousin and will likely be sadly missed.
‘We want to thank everybody for his or her assist and ask to be left in order that we are able to grieve in peace.’
