Daughter's 'best dad' tribute to gang attack victim

Aug 13 2007

The devastated youngest daughter of a man beaten to death after a confrontation with youths has paid tribute to “the best dad anyone can wish for”.

The family of Garry Newlove, 47, tonight released a letter from his daughter Amy, who is aged about 12, written as he was fighting for his life in hospital.

Mr Newlove was attacked on Friday night after a gang of youths vandalised a mechanical digger parked in a neighbour’s drive in Warrington, Cheshire, and his car window was smashed.

He suffered massive head injuries and died at Warrington Hospital on Sunday afternoon.

The letter says: “I can’t get across how much I will miss you and I don’t know what I would do without you.

“You have always been there for me when I am down and you always put a smile on my face (even if it is a rubbish joke).

“You mean the world to me and I wouldn’t change you for the world.”

The letter continues: “We will deeply miss you and want you to know you are the best dad anyone can wish for.

“I love you, from your darling daughter who loves you so much and from the whole family.”

According to friends Mr Newlove was married to Helen and the couple have three daughters Zoe, aged about 19, 16-year-old Danielle and Amy, who is thought to be 12.

The family, who live in Station Road North, were due to go to Lanzarote, Spain, this Wednesday.

Mike Roscoe, a work colleague who has known Mr Newlove for 30 years, said today: “They were your typical, happy family.

“I spoke to Helen yesterday and she is distraught, there’s no other word for it.

“They were looking forward to their holiday and now he is gone.

“I just can’t believe it, I’ve known him since he was 16.”

Mr Roscoe, 52, said that Mr Newlove had survived stomach cancer around 11 years ago, when Amy was ’just months old’.

The friends worked together at Manchester-based CF Airflow, where Mr Newlove was a co-director, until about three years ago.

Lately he had been working as a sales manager at a Manchester plastics company.

Police arrested nine youths after the attack, which happened at around 10.45pm.

Six youths, aged between 15 and 19, remain in custody.

Detectives have until around midnight tonight to charge them or renew the arrest warrants.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Cleworth added: “Mr Newlove had gone outside when his car was vandalised. He did what any of us would do in those circumstances.

“He was set upon and sustained several injuries including an injury to his head which is most likely the cause of death.

“We do believe that the youths were drinking although there is no evidence to suggest drug use.

“We have identified members of the group, some of whom have had previous dealings with police, and we are appealing for others who were there to come forward.

“The officers involved are as sickened as anybody would be. Mr Newlove is a very active, very much well-respected member of the community.”

He added: “This is an absolutely tragic incident and I would appeal to any young people who may have knowledge about what happened to think about this as if it was their father or their brother.

“How would they feel?

“The victim’s family are extremely distressed and our hearts go out to them.”

Derek Lockie, local neighbourhood inspector for Cheshire Police, said Mr Newlove met with police officers in May to discuss problems with youth disorder.

He had proposed setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme and sent out letters to all his neighbours.

Inspector Lockie said: “There has been a dozen reported incidents of disorder in Mr Newlove’s road this year.

“The area is a cut-through to a shopping precinct where you do get youths and that is where most of the calls come from.

“There has been an increase in the number of uniformed officers patrolling the area, this came as a request from local agencies.”

A bunch of flowers was placed close to the spot where Mr Newlove was attacked.

The card read: “A true hero. Trying to take our street back. Standing up for what is right. God bless.”

Outside Mr Newlove’s home a man, who said he was the victim’s nephew, said the family were making no comments.

Next to the house is a railway bridge under which neighbours said the youths congregate.

Vera Flynn, 69, who has lived next to the bridge for 30 years, said: “The police came and asked me about it but I never saw anything, I don’t leave my house after dark because of the gangs.

“The kids are always under the bridge messing about and if you say anything you get a mouthful.

“They are drinking, taking drugs, and I just don’t want to leave my house because of it.”

Mrs Flynn, who did not know Mr Newlove, added: “We got letters through the door asking us to start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and somebody said it was Mr Newlove who was starting it up.

“It’s just dreadful the way society has become.”

Warrington council said it was aware of Mr Newlove’s concerns about anti-social behaviour and councillors had discussed the neighbourhood watch scheme with him.

A spokeswoman said: “We are all deeply saddened by the tragic death of Mr Newlove and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

“As this is now the subject of a police investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”