Ringleader of gang that killed Garry Newlove could be freed in weeks after serving 17yrs for murder that shocked nation
THE ringleader of a drunken teen gang which sickened the nation by murdering a dad of three could walk free from prison next month.
Adam Swellings was 19, when he, Stephen Sorton, 17, and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, beat Garry Newlove, 47, to the ground and kicked him to death in front of his daughters.
Garry had caught them vandalising wife Helen’s car at home in Warrington, Cheshire, in 2007.
Swellings, Sorton and Cunliffe got life, with the judge recommending minimum terms of 17, 15 and 12 years respectively.
The younger two are already out and Swellings, now 35, appears before a parole board next month.
A source said: “Garry’s family are devastated.
“They believe he should remain behind bars as he was the ringleader.
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 was demanding the Government and police do more when complaints are first lodged.
Baroness Newlove was 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 wanted the bill to state if three ASB incidents are reported, victims can then get access to support.