THREE teenagers were jailed for life today for the murder of father-of-three Garry Newlove.

Mr Newlove was kicked “like a football” by the youths after he confronted them about vandalism outside his Cheshire home in August.

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

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

Helen Newlove, Garry's widow, broke down in tears as the verdicts were read out.

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.

Gang attack

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

Mr Newlove, the father of Zoe, 18, Danielle, 16, and 13-year-old Amy, suffered massive head injuries in the attack which took place shortly after the gang had kicked the door of his wife’s car, parked outside their home in Fearnhead, Warrington.

His widow, Helen, 44, spoke out after the guilty verdict and pledged to campaign to make Britain safer.

She said: “I am determined to carry on for the sake of my wonderful husband Garry. He will not have died in vain.

“The light has gone out of our lives. It’s like a piece of our jigsaw has been lost for ever.

“Garry and myself have brought up three girls together to respect other people and to be home, not walking the streets causing damage and intimidating other people.”

It emerged, after the trio were found guilty on January 16 of Mr Newlove’s murder, that Swellings had been released from custody for an assault just hours before the August 10 attack.

Drink and drugs

He was freed on bail on condition he stayed away from Warrington but he never left the town. Instead he met up with Sorton and Cunliffe and began their drink and drugs binge.

The teenager had consumed four litres of cider and smoked five cannabis cigarettes that night, paid for with his dole money.

As the oldest in the group, he took it upon himself to lead the confrontation with sales manager Mr Newlove, arrogantly telling him to “get back inside”.

He threw the first punch, having approached the defenceless and barefoot victim from behind.

Egged on by the other gang members shouting “Get him” and “Do him, Swellhead”, the youth knocked Mr Newlove to the ground.

Sorton, who had consumed nine or 10 bottles of Stella Artois and one three-litre bottle of Frosty Jacks cider in the hours before the attack, then kicked Mr Newlove with a force so ferocious that he left his training shoe under the victim’s body.

Cunliffe, who was aged 15 on the night of the attack, also joined in, bragging to other gang members afterwards: “We’ve just banged a man and he’s not moving.”

Describing Mr Newlove, the judge said: “When his wife’s car had been damaged, Garry Newlove went out to find out what was happening. He did so because his family and wife were upset.”

Mr Justice Smith said the father of three did not provoke the gang in any way before they launched their attack on him.

“They were the actions of a courageous and devoted family man, who paid with his life,” said the judge. “You three were only so brave because you outnumbered him many times over,” said Mr Justice Swift, who added that the gang were high on alcohol and skunk cannabis.

Paying tribute to the salesman’s three teenage daughters who gave evidence during the trial at Chester Crown Court, he added: “The attack was seen by Garry Newlove’s three daughters.

Decency

“They did all anyone could have done to help, nobody who saw them during the trial could fail to have been touched and impressed by the simple and straightforward decency, I can’t find a better word for it.

“Everybody in court would have understood why Garry Newlove would have been so proud of them.”

As Mrs Newlove broke down in tears and was comforted by family, the judge said her family had been destroyed.

Continuing his sentencing, Mr Justice Smith added: “Each of you continued to behave aggressively once you had finished with Garry Newlove.

“His teenage daughters saw him attacked and fatally injured and I must consider the effect on them of such horrific effects and on Mrs Newlove after such tough times.”

The judge turned to ringleader Swellings and ordered him to serve 17 years, at which the widow broke down again and rested her head on the woodwork of the public gallery.

Sentencing Sorton, the judge referred to him attacking a boy with learning difficulties hours before killing Mr Newlove.

The judge said: “You indulged your taste for gratuitous bullying and violence that evening and you were one of those who started the violence against Garry Newlove.”