Widow calls for victims to learn of parole cases

THE widow of Garry Newlove, who was battered to death by vandals trying to steal her car, has called for a change in the law to allow victims of crime to be told about parole hearings.

Baroness Newlove, now the victims’ commissioner, revealed her pain at attending the hearing of Jordan Cunliffe, 26, and Stephen Sorton, 28.

The pair were moved to open prison last year, 12 years after killing her 47-year-old husband.

Lady Newlove is now trying to bring in the new law. She told the Daily Mirror it would give victims a legal right to be heard, and to be informed of decisions which they could challenge. She said: “Release is a painful part of the victim journey. You know it must happen but it does not make it any easier. It’s just so painful.”

Last year, she attended the parole hearings of Cunliffe and Sorton, but said she could not ask them anything about the murder.

They, along with Adam Swellings, killed Mr Newlove, a father-of-three, outside his home in Warrington, Cheshire, in 2007.

Swellings was 19, Sorton 17 and Cunliffe 16 when they got life, with terms of 17, 15 and 12 years. Swellings will not be eligible for parole until 2024.