Three teens charged over Warrington murder

Aug 14 2007 Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

THREE teenagers were charged last night with murdering a father-of-three who challenged a gang of vandals outside his Warrington home.

The youths, two aged 15 and one aged 16, will appear at Runcorn Youth Court this morning.

The savage attack may have been filmed by those responsible on their mobile phones.

Residents of Station Road said witnesses had seen a gang of youths filming the vicious assault which left Garry Newlove with fatal head injuries.

One neighbour said a youth was seen standing on a wall outside Mr Newlove’s home shouting: “I have killed somebody.”

Last night, police revealed a number of the nine youngsters who were arrested in connection with the attack on 10.45pm on Friday were in possession of mobile phones.

They have been seized by police and will be looked at as part of the murder investigation.

It came as the 47-year- old’s family released a letter written by his daughter Amy as he was fighting for his life in hospital.

It reads: “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.”

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

Neighbours said they first knew something was wrong when they heard one of Mr Newlove’s daughters screaming after they discovered her father lying in the road outside the house.

He suffered massive head injuries and died at Warrington Hospital on Sunday afternoon with his family at his bedside.

One neighbour said: “We just heard this terrible screaming.

“It was continuous and terrifying and then we saw one of the girls run past carrying their dog.

“We think the dog had tried to go to his owner and Mr Newlove’s daughter had gone out to get the dog.

“That is when she found her dad.”

Tributes to the sales manager at a Manchester plastics company have been left at the murder scene.

One reads: “To a true hero. Trying to take our streets back. Standing up for what is right. God Bless You.”

Another reads: “To our brave neighbour. You stood up for what you believe in. So sorry it had to end like this.”

Neighbours last night said Station Road had been plagued by gangs of youths and anti-social behaviour.

They said three years ago one man was seriously assaulted after being knocked unconscious by a gang of youths he had approached for vandalising his car.

One close neighbour, Howard Malone, 72, has CCTV footage from a camera at his property that shows part of the incident.

Mr Malone said: “I understand that some of these thugs actually recorded videos of the attack on their phones.

“It’s sickening and only adds to the absolute outrage what they have done to Garry.

“He was a dedicated family man and he stood up to these senseless thugs and paid for his bravery with his life.

“The people who did this are complete scum, but they will not get the punishment they deserve.”

“It’s sickening that a decent family man is attacked and killed like this outside his own home.

“Where has the respect gone in society when yobs make life so cheap?

“I’ve had to instal CCTV because of all the problems we’ve had around here with stone-throwing yobs.

“A brick was once thrown through our front window. If I had been sitting where I usually do. It would have hit me.”

One resident added that she had warned police that the anti-social behaviour in the road was escalating to the point where she had feared there would be a fatality.

She said: “It has become very frightening.

“This is a good area and everybody is broken-hearted about what has happened.”

“I have told police time and time again that somebody is going to get killed in Station Road and now our worst fears have been realised.

“I just can’t believe the arrogance of these youths. There is just no respect these days and no discipline.”

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: “I don’t leave my house after dark because of the gangs.”

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

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

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 aged 12.

The family were due to go to Lanzarote, Spain, this Wednesday.

Mike Roscoe, a work colleague who has known Mr Newlove for 30 years, said: “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.”

Mr Roscoe, 52, said Mr Newlove had survived stomach cancer around 11 years ago.

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

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Cleworth said: “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 was a very active, very 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.”

Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North, said she was liaising with residents who are now demanding CCTV cameras are placed in Station Road.

She said: “At this very sad time my thoughts and prayers go out to Mr Newlove’s family and friends.

“This is an appalling incident and I hope that the perpetrators are caught and severely punished.”

The poignant letter written by Garry Newlove's daughter, Amy, as he fought for his life

TO DADDY

I am unable to see you right now as you are to sic ill but I know you can fight this as you are a strong, loving man who I know loves me no matter what.

I am asking you to be strong and don’t give in as I love you too much to believe that you won’t go without a fight. I had a dream last night that you woke up and you were fine except you didn’t know me at all! If that did happen and you didn’t know me, I would still try to help you remember. I will stick by you while you are in hospital and I will take care of mummy.

I can’t get across to you 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 meen the world to me and I wouldn’t change you for the world.

When you get out of here I will be there with a big smile on my face. I hope you can hear me ryt now as I hope it will give you more strength and determination as to wake up. I thought I saw nan newloves face in theTV last night and I keep seeing her. I know she is here with you looking out for you and is probably offer- ing cornflakes or thortons toffee. I love you with all my heart so please don’t give in.

We are all taking care of you and mummy.

We will deeply miss you and I want you to know are the best dad anyone can ask for. I love you so much and I do hope you can fight this. I love you! from your darling daughter who loves you so much and from the whole family!

WE LOVE YOU!! AND DON’T GIVE IN!!

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