THE wife of a man who died after confronting thugs throwing bottles at their home says cops should do more to stop nuisance neighbours.
Dad-of-three Garry Newlove had his head kicked in “like a football” by Jordan Cunliffe, Adam Swellings and Stephen Sorton when he bravely tried to stop them vandalising cars outside his Cheshire property.
Baroness Helen Newlove is demanding police do more about anti-social behaviourRex
PAGarry Newlove was kicked to death outside his Cheshire home in 2007[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationStephen Sorton, Jordan Cunlifffe and Adam Swellings were jailed for life following the killing[/caption]
Garry sadly left behind his wife and three daughtersHandout
Garry, 47, was rushed to hospital where he tragically lost his life three days after the teenagers launched their brutal attack on him in front of his daughters in 2007.
The twisted trio, who were drunk and high on cannabis at the time, were all caged for life the following year.
Garry’s wife Baroness Helen Newlove has spent her life since, campaigning for victims of anti-social behaviour to be taken more seriously in a bid to stop future killings.
Stressing that “tragedy can strike when pleas for help go unheard”, Baroness Newlove is demanding the Government and police do more when complaints are first lodged.
A bill being discussed today – the Victims and Prisoners Bill – focuses on victims of criminal conduct and others affected by major incidents.
Baroness Newlove is now urging ministers to ensure the bill also provides support for victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB).
She told the Mirror that cops look at ASB cases as neighbourly nuisances and wait until they reach a certain level of crime before acting.
The widow wants the bill to state if three ASB incidents are reported, victims can then get access to support.
She said: “The bill currently overlooks victims of persistent anti-social behaviour.
“I, along with others, have called for amendments to the bill that would address this.
“We need a balanced approach – one that tackles offending while also offering a lifeline to those who suffer from ongoing harassment.”
Baroness Newlove’s family suffered abuse, violence and aggression in a place that should have been their safe space.
The torment started with beer bottles lobbed on the lawn and vandalism of their home.
Garry had reached his wits end when Swellings, who was 19 at the time, Cunliffe, then 16, and Sorton, then 17, started defacing his wife’s car.
The devoted husband and dad was then thrown to the floor and kicked to death.
His three daughters were only 18, 15 and 12 when they lost their dad.
Who was Garry Newlove?
Garry Newlove died three days after confronting a gang of drunken teenagers who were vandalising his wife’s car in Warrington, Chesire, in 2007.
The teenagers, who were also high on cannabis, knocked Mr Newlove to the ground and kicked his head “like a football”.
Teenagers Stephen Sorton, 17, Adam Swellings, 19, and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, were jailed for life over his murder following a trial at Chester Crown Court in January 2008.
At the sentencing Swellings was given a minimum tariff of 17 years, Sorton 15 years (reduced to 13 and then 12 on appeal) and Cunliffe 12 years.
In 2020, Garry’s wife Baroness Helen Newlove found out Cunliffe had been freed to wander the streets of their home town.
He was being held at an open prison at the time, in preparation for his release on parole.
Swellings was set to be moved to an open prison in 2022 and is eligible for release in August 2024.
In 2019, Sorton was also in an open prison prepped for parole after he was ordered to serve at least 13 years.