This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/7195134.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bail for killer teenager defended Bail for killer teenager defended
(about 12 hours later)
The decision to release a teenager on bail just hours before he kicked a man to death has been defended by judicial authorities.The decision to release a teenager on bail just hours before he kicked a man to death has been defended by judicial authorities.
Adam Swellings, 19, was convicted of the murder of Garry Newlove, who was killed in Warrington, Cheshire.Adam Swellings, 19, was convicted of the murder of Garry Newlove, who was killed in Warrington, Cheshire.
Swellings was bailed on an assault charge on the day of the attack on condition he did not go to Warrington.Swellings was bailed on an assault charge on the day of the attack on condition he did not go to Warrington.
The Judicial Communications Office said magistrates had not satisfied a remand in custody had been justified. The Judicial Communications Office said magistrates had not been satisfied that a remand in custody was justified.
It said Swellings had admitted a charge of assault and obstructing a police officer.It said Swellings had admitted a charge of assault and obstructing a police officer.
A custodial sentence would not have been imposed by the court which went on to order further probation reports before considering the "appropriate non-custodial sentence".A custodial sentence would not have been imposed by the court which went on to order further probation reports before considering the "appropriate non-custodial sentence".
We have laws for keeping people like that from committing further crimes and they weren't enforced Helen Jones MP Victim's anti-yob campaignSpotlight on troubled areaAgony of Newlove familyWe have laws for keeping people like that from committing further crimes and they weren't enforced Helen Jones MP Victim's anti-yob campaignSpotlight on troubled areaAgony of Newlove family
The case has fuelled the debate on the issue of youth crime and the government has pledged to learn lessons from the murder of Mr Newlove, a father-of-three.The case has fuelled the debate on the issue of youth crime and the government has pledged to learn lessons from the murder of Mr Newlove, a father-of-three.
Warrington North Labour MP Helen Jones has asked the Attorney General to examine why Swellings, from Crewe, was freed and requested a Commons debate on the issue.Warrington North Labour MP Helen Jones has asked the Attorney General to examine why Swellings, from Crewe, was freed and requested a Commons debate on the issue.
The statement from the Judicial Communications Office, which represents judges and magistrates, said: "Magistrates have a duty to review bail at each hearing and ensure that there are still substantial grounds for keeping the defendant in custody.The statement from the Judicial Communications Office, which represents judges and magistrates, said: "Magistrates have a duty to review bail at each hearing and ensure that there are still substantial grounds for keeping the defendant in custody.
"The magistrates considered all the material (in the Swelling's case) and in these circumstances were not satisfied that remand in custody was justified.""The magistrates considered all the material (in the Swelling's case) and in these circumstances were not satisfied that remand in custody was justified."
The Conservative Party said the case proved the government had abandoned Tony Blair's Respect Agenda, which was designed to tackle youth crime.The Conservative Party said the case proved the government had abandoned Tony Blair's Respect Agenda, which was designed to tackle youth crime.
'Serious issues''Serious issues'
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said it raised "serious issues" about the courts.Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said it raised "serious issues" about the courts.
But Leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman said the government was determined to take action against serious violent crime.But Leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman said the government was determined to take action against serious violent crime.
Swellings was convicted of Mr Newlove's murder on Wednesday, along with Stephen Sorton, 17, and 16-year-old Jordan Cunliffe.Swellings was convicted of Mr Newlove's murder on Wednesday, along with Stephen Sorton, 17, and 16-year-old Jordan Cunliffe.
Labour MP Ms Jones said: "We have laws for keeping people like that from committing further crimes and they weren't enforced.Labour MP Ms Jones said: "We have laws for keeping people like that from committing further crimes and they weren't enforced.
"I'm writing to the Attorney General to ask why someone who had a history of breaching court orders, of having no regard for court orders, was then bailed.""I'm writing to the Attorney General to ask why someone who had a history of breaching court orders, of having no regard for court orders, was then bailed."
Mr Newlove was attacked by the teenagers on 10 August outside his home on Station Road North, Fearnhead.Mr Newlove was attacked by the teenagers on 10 August outside his home on Station Road North, Fearnhead.
'Terrible crime''Terrible crime'
He had gone outside to confront them about vandalising his wife's car.He had gone outside to confront them about vandalising his wife's car.
The court heard the 47-year-old sales manager was "kicked like a football" and died in hospital two days later.The court heard the 47-year-old sales manager was "kicked like a football" and died in hospital two days later.
Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "We have done huge amounts but we're not going to solve this with enforcement law alone.Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "We have done huge amounts but we're not going to solve this with enforcement law alone.
"Groups of young lads in particular, that often get angry at the system, they have had poor parenting, educational under-achievement and start going down this street where they start getting involved with gangs and drink and drugs."Groups of young lads in particular, that often get angry at the system, they have had poor parenting, educational under-achievement and start going down this street where they start getting involved with gangs and drink and drugs.
"These need to be identified by the agencies and in these sorts of situations we need the courts not to be giving them bail.""These need to be identified by the agencies and in these sorts of situations we need the courts not to be giving them bail."
Leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman told MPs "we all want to learn the lessons of that terrible crime" and said the government was determined to take action against serious violent crime.Leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman told MPs "we all want to learn the lessons of that terrible crime" and said the government was determined to take action against serious violent crime.