THE mothers of Garry Newlove's murderers have launched an astonishing defence of their sons.

Adam Swellings, 19, Stephen Sorton, 17, and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, kicked the Warrington dad-of-three to death last year.

Now, as the gang begin life sentences, the mums of Swellings and Sorton have heaped further torment on the grieving family of Mr Newlove.

Sorton's mother Margaret defended the trio of thugs, describing them as `decent'. She said her son was `not as bad as he's being made out to be'. And she said the killing, `a thing which went tragically wrong', destroyed her life.

Mrs Sorton, 42, was also reported as saying that neighbours in Orford, Warrington, had been supportive because they know `the good things' about her son. Describing herself as `annoyed and bitter' about the murder, she said that she and her son felt sympathy for Mr Newlove's widow, Helen.

Meanwhile, Sue Swellings, 43, has said she will use Legal Aid to launch an appeal against her son's conviction - and will buy the best legal team possible. She said: "I still
love Adam because he is mine and nothing will ever change that. I have spoken to him in jail and he is doing fine."

Mr Newlove was confronting the gang about vandalism to his wife's car on August 10 when he was set upon. He ended up in a coma. He died two days later.

Assault

When Swellings, the ringleader of the attackers, was found guilty it emerged he had been released on bail for an assault on another householder hours before the attack on condition he stay away from Warrington.

He ignored the court order. Since the trio were found guilty, Mrs Newlove, 45, has become an outspoken voice on youth crime and justice.

The judge at Chester Crown Court sentenced Swellings to a minimum of 17 years, Sorton to 15 years and Cunliffe to 12. Afterwards Mrs Newlove said: "I watched them as they walked into court and I didn't see a flicker of emotion or remorse from them."

"If I could push the button on an electric chair, if I could deliver a lethal injection, I wouldn't hesitate."

Mrs Newlove also said parents should be prosecuted for failing to keep their children under control.

She said: "Parents should take responsibility for their children. 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 by drinking and abusive language.

"What these people need to understand is that it could be their partners or parents that it happens to. Until this society stops thinking about number one, we should all try and pull together to stop these youth gangs going on rampages.

"Attacking people verbally and physically under the influence of drink and drugs does not, in any way, justify their actions.

"Parents have to face up to their responsibilities. Having children is unconditional and there is no time limit to it."