11/02/2008

Teen Gang Killers Get 'Life' Sentences

The three teenagers who kicked an innocent householder "like a football" after he confronted them about vandalism outside his Cheshire home in August, have been jailed.

All of the defendants were previously found guilty and have now been jailed for life for the murder of dad-of-three Garry Newlove.

Adam Swellings, 19, of Crewe received a minimum 17-year term, Stephen Sorton, 17, of Warrington, received a minimum 15 years and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, formerly of Warrington, was locked up for a minimum of 12 years.

They were convicted of murder at Chester Crown Court last month.

Jailing the teenagers, Judge Andrew Smith said: "You were three of a gang who attacked Garry Newlove only because he had the courage to remonstrate with you.

"For you all drunken aggression was part of the night's entertainment.

"It was a gang attack, each of you continued to behave aggressively after you had finished with Garry Newlove."

Mr Newlove had left his home to remonstrate with the teenagers about vandalism to vehicles in the street where he lived when he was punched to the ground and kicked repeatedly. He died at Warrington Hospital two days later.

After the guilty verdicts last month it emerged that Swellings had been released from custody for an assault hours before he murdered the dad in the August 10 attack last year.

Swellings had been bailed on condition he stayed away from Warrington but never left the town.

Instead he met up with fellow gang members Stephen Sorton and Jordan Cunliffe and began their drink and drugs binge.

(BMcC)

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12 February 2008
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The widow of Garry Newlove, who was murdered a group of drunken teenagers, has called for the death penalty to be brought back. Speaking to 'The Sun', Helen Newlove, 45, said that she thought the teenagers who murdered her 47-year-old husband should "pay the ultimate price".
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25 January 2008
Bailed Offender Crimes On MP's Agenda
Offenders and accused offenders on bail are committing serious crimes – even murder – when on bail. The problem is so serious that the Justice Secretary Jack Straw is now to meet MPs to discuss a series of killings that have been committed by men who had been released on bail.
10 January 2008
Newlove Murder Jury Still Sitting
Five teenagers are continuing to deny accusations that they kicked a man to death as the sixth day of deliberations by the trial jury got underway. Father-of-three Garry Newlove, 47, was attacked outside his home in Fearnhead, Warrington, Cheshire, on August 10 after a confrontation with a gang of youths.
16 April 2008
Second Newlove Killer To Launch Appeal Bid
A second youth, jailed for killing Garry Newlove, is to appeal against his sentence. Stephen Sorton, 17, from Warrington in Cheshire, was jailed for life in February for his part in the killing of Mr Newlove, 47. He was told that he would have to serve a minimum of 15 years.