Tears for family at funeral of father beaten by gang

Sep 4 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

THE heartbroken family and friends of father-of-three Garry Newlove, who was allegedly beaten to death after confronting a gang of youths outside his home, paid their respects at his funeral yesterday.

Mr Newlove’s wife and three daughters clung together and wept as they were joined by hundreds of mourners for the service near their Warrington home.

Widow Helen Newlove broke down as she was helped into the church by friends and family.

The Bee Gees classic, Night Fever, rang from the service at Christ Church, in Padgate, to mark Mr Newlove’s part-time DJ-ing passion. Gounod’s Ave Maria was sung by a soloist in an echo of Mr and Mrs Newlove’s wedding 21 years ago.

More than 200 mourners attend-ed the 40-minute service led by the Rector of Christ Church, Reverend Canon Stephen Attwater.

Sales manager Mr Newlove, 47, suffered head injuries after con-fronting teenagers outside his home in Warrington on August 10. He died in hospital on August 12.

Three youths and an adult have been charged with murder.

Mr Newlove’s coffin was carried into the church by six members of his family. His wife, Helen, and daughters Zoe, 19, Danielle, 16, and Amy, 12, followed in tears, comforted by relatives.

The death of Mr Newlove, who had earlier survived stomach cancer, sparked a national debate about restrictions on the sale of alcohol after residents said youths had been known to hang around drinking in the area’s streets.

The Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, Peter Fahy, called for the legal age for drinking to be increased to 21. He said underage drinking was a child protection issue and parents who refused to take action should face tougher sanctions through care proceed-ings and criminal justice system.

Senior police officers were among yesterday’s mourners along with council dignitaries.

Rev Attwater said: “When Garry died three weeks ago, the light went out for Helen and Zoe, Danielle and Amy.

“For Garry was central to their lives. He was a loving, caring, devoted family man and there is no doubt he will be sadly missed.

“Garry enjoyed meeting people. He was very much the life and soul of the party. He had a great sense of humour, and he was a part-time DJ, working with his friend in clubs in Manchester at the weekends.”

The service was followed by a private cremation at Walton Lea Crematorium.

The Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Celia Jordan, said: “The ward councillors have tried for months and years to get a higher police presence, but all communities need that. It is a low point we have got to with our young people and I hope we get movement on the issue, so we can say that Garry did not die in vain.”

Three youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Adam Swellings, 18, have been charged with Mr Newlove’s murd-er and are remanded in custody.

The trial is due to take place in November.

lizawilliams