Newlove killers win leave to appeal

Last Modified: 22 May 2008
Source: ITN

Two youths convicted of murdering father-of-three Garry Newlove have been granted leave to appeal, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

Adam Swellings, 19, the ringleader of the gang that kicked the father-of-three to death, will appeal against both his conviction and his minimum 17-year jail term.

Fellow gang member Stephen Sorton, 17, has been granted permission to appeal against his minimum 15-year term.

The two were jailed for life along with Jordan Cunliffe, 16, after being convicted of murder at Chester Crown Court in January.

Mr Newlove suffered massive head injuries when the three attacked him after he caught them vandalising his wife's car, parked outside their home in Station Road North, Warrington, Cheshire.

The jury heard how the youths kicked him "like a football" during the assault in August last year.

Mr Newlove's daughters Zoe, 18, Danielle, 16, and Amy, 13 saw the attack on their father.

Swellings, of Meredith Street, Crewe, Sorton, of Honister Avenue, Warrington, and Cunliffe, formerly of Warrington, were found guilty after the jury deliberated for more than 55 hours.

A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were cleared of murder and manslaughter following the six-week trial.

Mr Newlove's widow Helen and the couple's daughters held a vigil at his bedside in Warrington Hospital, but Mr Newlove died two days later.

During the trial Swellings admitted throwing the first punch at Mr Newlove and originally pleaded guilty to manslaughter but that plea was rejected by the prosecution.

A trainer belonging to Sorton was found lodged under Mr Newlove as he lay dying on the pavement.

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