Garry Newlove killer Stephen Sorton to be freed from prison

The dad-of-three died at the age of 47 in August 2007, two days after being brutally attacked by a gang of teenagers outside his family home on Station Road North in Fearnhead.

But Stephen Sorton, who is believed to have delivered the fatal blow as a 17-year-old boy, is set to be freed from prison in March after the parole board approved his release.

Sorton at Chester Crown Court

The now 29-year-old was handed life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years after being convicted of murder under joint enterprise in 2008.

Mr Newlove’s widow is calling for reforms to the parole system and for greater importance to be placed on the thoughts and feelings of victims of crimes.

Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today, Monday, Baroness Helen Newlove said: “It takes you back to day one, it makes you really angry.

“The sentence was a life sentence, he had to serve a minimum of 12 years.

“That word minimum is very important.

“It’s a pure mockery, not just to me and the family but most importantly to Garry.

“The process doesn’t have a humanity side to it, it’s all about processing the rule of law – it’s for the offender.

“Everything was about the fact that he was a child, and he needs to be rehabilitated and given a second chance.

“Nobody thought about my children’s welfare and my welfare.”

Sixteen-year-old Jordan Cunliffe and Adam Swellings, 19, were also found guilty of murder at Chester Crown Court.

And Cunliffe, now 27, is now house in an open prison – with a parole hearing set to consider his release next month.

Jordan Cunliffe

Swellings will be eligible for parole in five years’ time.

Adam Swellings

Baroness Newlove added: “Jordan Cunliffe is in a local open prison, he’s walking the streets unescorted and has a job.

“Where is the respect for victims?

“Now is the time to have an open and honest debate and really think about what we’re doing here.

“I worry for my daughters and my family.

“Everything is weighted towards rehabilitating offenders and giving them a second chance when victims’ lives are completely ruined and we are left to pick up the pieces by a system that is there to protect us.”