Raab blocks transfer to open prison for Newlove’s killer

GARY NEWLOVE’S killer has been blocked from being transferred to an open prison by Dominic Raab.

The Justice Secretary overruled the Parole Board, which recommended the move for Adam Swellings, the ringleader of a gang who kicked to death Mr Newlove, the husband of the former victims’ commissioner Dame Helen Newlove, after he confronted them for vandalising his wife’s car.

Swellings, of Crewe, then 19, was jailed for life in 2008 with a minimum tariff of 17 years, along with two other members of the gang.

A source said: “The deputy Prime Minister [Mr Raab] has blocked Swellings’s move to open prison. He wants the parole board to take a more precautionary approach to protect the public and is bringing in reforms to keep dangerous offenders behind bars.”

Dame Helen was victims’ commissioner for England and Wales from 2012 to 2019. She said: “He was given a tariff and he should serve that tariff [which extends to 2024] … How do you justify giving him a second chance?”

Mr Raab took personal charge of determining whether high-risk offenders should be transferred to open prisons earlier this year. Previously, the decision had been taken in the Justice Secretary’s name by officials.