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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Lottie Gibbons

Garry Newlove's widow makes tragic plea as killer set for release

One of the killers of dad-of-three Garry Newlove is set to be freed from prison in March.

Stephen Sorton, 29, could be out within weeks in a decision that has angered his widow Baroness Newlove.

Mr Newlove, 47, was kicked to death outside his Warrington home. He had confronted a gang vandalising his wife’s car outside their home in 2007.

Undated Cheshire Police handout photo of Garry Newlove (PA)

In 2008, Adam Swellings, 19; Stephen Sorton, 17; and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, were jailed for life after being found guilty of Mr Newlove's murder.

Swellings was given a minimum tariff of 17 years, Sorton 15 years, which was reduced to 12 on appeal, and Cunliffe 12 years.

Now, the Parole Board has recommended Sorton should be released.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Baroness Newlove called for the parole system to be completely overhauled.

She said: "It's still very raw, especially when you hear decisions made, it takes you back to day one."

Baroness Newlove added: "People are being murdered on our streets.

Baroness Newlove called the decision a 'pure mockery' (ITV)

"My fury is that we spend more time on Brexit than we do about considering human lives that are lost every day...

She told presenters, Susanna and Bill Turnball, the Parole Board's recommendation a 'pure mockery' to herself, family and Garry's life.

She said: "Nobody thought of my children's education, their welfare or my welfare...

"Where is the respect for victims?"

Susanna and Bill interview Baroness Newlove on GMB (ITV)

Bill read out a comment from the Ministry of Justice, which said: "Baroness Newlove was told about her husband's killers being moved to open prison and going on day release.

"They say Baroness Newlove would not have been told of every instance or of the exact location of that release as this is not something that the prison and probation service does for any victims."

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