Comment: The views of Gary Newlove's widow must be heeded

Apr 23 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

IT IS rare to hear the voices of ordinary members of the public in the corridors of power. That is why the views expressed by Helen Newlove, the widow of murdered Warrington father Garry Newlove, make such a strong impression.

In contrast to the bland statements made by politicians, Mrs Newlove speaks from the heart about her own first-hand experience of the country’s so-called yob culture.

Among other things, she told MPs on the Home Affairs Committee on Policing in the 21st Century that it was wrong to make excuses for youths who commit violent crime, and branded the courts system "utterly disgraceful" for the way victims’ families are treated.

Mr Newlove, 47, was kicked to death by three drunk teenagers outside his home in Warrington last year, leading to a renewed national debate about youth crime.

His widow revealed that she and her three daughters had since moved away from their family home because they struggled to cope with flashbacks of the murder.

MPs listened as she argued that smaller scale crime could often spiral into more serious, and potentially life- threatening, situations if police forces were not given the resources to deal with them.

She has now joined forces with other mothers who have felt the impact of violence in Britain to call for change.

Mrs Newlove’s views will no doubt be shared by many people up and down the country.

But what is important is that MPs and others act on what she says, rather than simply sit there and listen, and provide a sympathetic ear.

That includes more support for victims in the daunting legal system when they get to court to try and get justice.

As shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert says, Helen Newlove’s words should make all politicians sit up and think about the failings of the criminal justice system today.