Newlove killers launch appeals

Two youths convicted of the alcohol-fuelled murder of father-of-three Garry Newlove, who died after confronting a gang outside his home, begin their appeals today. The cases of both Adam Swellings and Stephen Sorton will be heard at the Court of Appeal in London.
Swellings, who was the ringleader of the gang that kicked Mr Newlove to death in Warrington, wants to overturn his conviction. The 19-year-old is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years. If his conviction challenge is unsuccessful he will appeal against his tariff.
Sorton, 17, of Warrington, is seeking a reduction in his minimum term of 15 years, the least he must serve before he can apply for parole. Mr Newlove, a 47-year-old salesman, was murdered in August 2007. He confronted a group of vandals, who then "kicked him like a football".