A thug who killed Garry Newlove will not be freed from prison after he held a boozy party in his cell to celebrate his potential release.
Jordan Cunliffe, one of three teenagers jailed in 2008 for the murder of Mr Newlove outside his home in Warrington, Cheshire, was considered for release by the Parole Board at a hearing last December.
But, according to the Parole Board’s decision summary, support from a psychologist, probation officer and prison official for his release was withdrawn at a later hearing following an ‘incident’ in the open prison where he was held.
Mr Newlove’s death in 2007 shocked the nation and became a symbol of ‘Broken Britain’.
Cunliffe was 16 when he and two other teenagers attacked Mr Newlove, 47, laughing as they drunkenly punched and kicked the father of three after he reprimanded them for vandalising cars outside his home in Warrington, Cheshire.
Jordan Cunliffe (left), who alongside two other teenagers punched and kicked 47-year-old Garry Newlove (right) to death in 2007, threw a party in prison to celebrate his impending release. He is set to apply for parole as early as this summer
Stephen Sorton, who was also convicted for his part in the killing of the 47-year-old father-of-three in August 2007, was approved for release by the Parole Board following a separate hearing.
Cunliffe hoped to be released after his review, the summary document said, but the case was ‘reconsidered in the light of an incident which resulted in Mr Cunliffe’s return to closed conditions’.
The 28-year-old was found with other inmates drinking alcohol in his cell in the days after the hearing on December 17.
Mr Newlove’s widow, Baroness Newlove, told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘How is he able to have a party in prison with alcohol? It beggars belief.
The widow of Mr Newlove, Baroness Helen Newlove (pictured), has admitted she is furious to hear about the prison party for her husband’s killer and claims Cunliffe does not show remorse for his actions
‘Cunliffe was a huge instigator in Garry’s death. It feels like he is laughing over Garry’s body all over again.’
The summary said Cunliffe continued to deny his involvement in the attack, in which Mr Newlove suffered massive head injuries after he confronted the group about vandalising cars outside his home, but ‘appeared to demonstrate some empathy about the incident’.
It said: ‘He had behaved well until an incident in open prison shortly after the panel’s first hearing.’
The panel recommended Cunliffe, who was 16 when he was sentenced for the alcohol-fuelled attack, be transferred back to the open prison to undertake ‘additional training’.
The recommendation of the Parole Board has been passed to the Justice Secretary for approval.
Cunliffe’s mother Janet has campaigned against joint enterprise laws, saying that although he was at the scene he did not take part in the murder.
A Parole Board spokesman said: ‘The Parole Board has made the decision not to release Jordan Cunliffe following an oral hearing, but has recommended that he is suitable for a move to an open conditions prison.
‘This is a recommendation only and the Ministry of Justice will now consider the advice and make the final decision.’
He added: ‘The panel carefully examined a whole range of evidence, including details of the original case, and any evidence of behaviour change.
‘A review takes place with extreme care and we will never release any prisoner if it is determined they still pose a risk to the public.’
The death of father of three Mr Newlove (middle) shocked the country back in 2007 and became a symbol of ‘Broken Britain’
The Parole Board did not confirm details of the incident which led to Cunliffe’s return to a more secure prison.
A summary of the decision on Sorton’s release said he showed ‘generally positive custodial behaviour’ and there had been no issues during times when he was on temporary release.
Sorton was 17 when he was given a 15-year jail sentence, which was later reduced to 13 years on appeal.
The panel directed he be released, subject to conditions including an exclusion zone to avoid contact with victims.
Adam Swellings, described as the ringleader of the gang, was jailed for a minimum of 17 years.