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Newlove killers face appeal court Newlove killers face appeal court
(10 minutes later)
Two teenagers convicted of kicking Garry Newlove to death outside his Warrington home are appearing in court to appeal against their sentences. Two teenagers convicted of kicking Garry Newlove to death outside his Warrington home are in court to appeal against their sentences and conviction.
Mr Newlove, 47, was kicked and punched "like a football" by youths when he confronted them about vandalism to his wife's car on 10 August 2007.Mr Newlove, 47, was kicked and punched "like a football" by youths when he confronted them about vandalism to his wife's car on 10 August 2007.
The father-of-three, of Station Road North, Fearnhead, died from head injuries two days later.The father-of-three, of Station Road North, Fearnhead, died from head injuries two days later.
Adam Swellings and Stephen Sorton, were convicted of murder in January. Adam Swellings and Stephen Sorton were convicted of murder in January.
They lodged their appeal in April.They lodged their appeal in April.
Swellings, 19, of Meredith Street, Crewe, was sentenced to serve a minimum 17 years in jail at Chester Crown Court. Swellings, 19, of Meredith Street, Crewe, was sentenced to serve a minimum 17 years in jail after the trial at Chester Crown Court.Swellings and Sorton were convicted of murder in January
Swellings and Sorton were convicted of murder in January
Sorton, 17, of Honister Street, Warrington, was ordered to serve a minimum 15 years.Sorton, 17, of Honister Street, Warrington, was ordered to serve a minimum 15 years.
A third teenager, Jordan Cunliffe, formerly of Rowland Close, Warrington, who was jailed for a minimum of 12 years, has not appealed.A third teenager, Jordan Cunliffe, formerly of Rowland Close, Warrington, who was jailed for a minimum of 12 years, has not appealed.
During the trial it emerged the youths has been heavily drinking in the hours running up to Mr Newlove's murder. During the trial it emerged the youths had been drinking heavily in the hours running up to Mr Newlove's murder.
Swellings had been released from custody for an assault just hours before the attack.Swellings had been released from custody for an assault just hours before the attack.
He was freed on bail on the condition that he stay away from Warrington but he remained in the town.He was freed on bail on the condition that he stay away from Warrington but he remained in the town.
Mr Newlove was attacked in front of his daughters Zoe, 18, Danielle, 16, and Amy, 13.Mr Newlove was attacked in front of his daughters Zoe, 18, Danielle, 16, and Amy, 13.
It was Amy who wrote an emotional letter to her father as he lay in Warrington Hospital in the days after the attack. Amy wrote an emotional letter to her father as he lay in Warrington Hospital in the days after the attack. Mr Newlove died, incontrovertibly, from one serious blow. We say it was a kick delivered by Mr Sorton Howard Benthan, Swellings' barrister
In it she wrote: "You are the best dad that anyone can wish for. In it she wrote "you are the best dad that anyone can wish for".
The letter ended: "From your darling daughter who loves you so much and from the whole family.The letter ended: "From your darling daughter who loves you so much and from the whole family.
"We love you and don't give in.""We love you and don't give in."
Since the teenagers' conviction, Mr Newlove's widow, Helen, has been leading a high-profile campaign to make the streets of Britain safer.Since the teenagers' conviction, Mr Newlove's widow, Helen, has been leading a high-profile campaign to make the streets of Britain safer.
At the appeal hearing Howard Bentham QC, representing Swellings, claimed that while his client had started the attack by punching Mr Newlove he had taken no part in the kicking which led to his death.
Swellings pleaded guilty to manslaughter before the trial began but it was rejected by the prosecution.
Mr Bentham told the court: "The unfortunate Mr Newlove died, incontrovertibly, from one serious blow.
"We say it was a kick delivered by Mr Sorton. But for that kick Mr Newlove would probably have walked away.
"There was some element of joint enterprise."
Swellings' barrister asked the appeal judges to overturn the murder conviction.
The hearing continues.