Leader of intoxicated teenagers who killed father Garry Newlove seeks freedom

Adam Swellings, the ringleader of a gang of thugs who beat Garry Newlove to death in 2007, is nearing the end of his minimum sentence of 17 years for the murder. Swellings, who was 19 at the time of the attack, had been freed on bail just hours earlier over a similar assault and had ignored a court order banning him from Warrington, where the killing took place. Despite being cleared for a move to open prison conditions two years ago, the decision was blocked by the then-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab. Garry’s widow, Baroness Helen Newlove, is expected to read an impact statement at Swellings’ upcoming parole hearing. She has expressed feeling helpless during parole hearings and supports the Mirror’s campaign for a victims’ rights bill, which would give victims the right to be updated and consulted on their cases.

The Victims’ Law that the Baroness supports would give victims a voice in the criminal justice system and put them at the center of it. Swellings’ fellow killers, Jordan Cunliffe and Stephen Sorton, who were 16 and 17 at the time of the attack, received minimum jail terms of 12 and 15 years respectively in the 2008 trial. Two other suspects were cleared of involvement. Sorton’s sentence was reduced by two years on appeal, and both he and Cunliffe were released in 2020. Despite the Parole Board review panel rejecting then-Justice Secretary Robert Buckland’s attempt to keep Cunliffe in jail, he was released. The victims’ rights bill would aim to address issues like this and give victims more agency in the criminal justice system.

Baroness Helen Newlove expressed the importance of the victims’ law, stating that only by giving victims a voice will they truly be at the centre of the criminal justice system. The bill would ensure victims are updated and consulted on their cases, providing them with more information and support throughout the legal process. The implementation of a victims’ code last year was seen as a step towards this legislation, but the formal bill has yet to be announced. The impact of violent crimes like the murder of Garry Newlove can have lasting effects on the victims and their families, making it crucial to give them a platform to share their experiences and perspectives.

Adam Swellings’ upcoming parole hearing raises concerns for the Newlove family and emphasizes the need for better support and rights for victims of violent crimes. Garry Newlove was attacked and killed in 2007 after confronting a group of drunk youths vandalizing cars, an incident that forever changed the lives of his loved ones. The pending release of Swellings, the last convicted murderer still in prison over the killing, underscores the importance of victims’ voices and the need for legislation like the victims’ bill. Baroness Helen Newlove’s involvement in the case and support for victims’ rights initiatives highlight the ongoing impact of violent crimes on families and communities, emphasizing the need for reforms that prioritize victim support and empowerment. As Swellings’ minimum sentence comes to an end, attention is drawn to the wider implications for victims of violent crimes and the importance of ensuring their rights and well-being are prioritized in the legal system.