Youths quizzed over man's murder

Garry Newlove, 47, was assaulted by teenagers in Station Road North in Warrington, Cheshire, on Friday night. He died in hospital on Sunday.

Neighbours said the father-of-three was attacked after he approached a group of youths causing criminal damage.

The youths being questioned are all male and aged between 15 and 19. Police said inquiries were ongoing.

Three further youths have been released without charge.

Det Ch Insp Martin Cleworth, leading the inquiry, said police were still looking for other people in connection with the attack.

"They are animals, they are just scum really"
Andrew Brocklehurst

"I've described them aptly as a pack because it's a suitable way that this attack can be described," he said.

"He has come out on his own - confronted by approximately fifteen of them - he's been assaulted, and he's been on the floor, and repeatedly assaulted while he's been on the floor.

"We've said it over and over again - but this was a particularly sickening assault."

A post-mortem examination to establish how Mr Newlove died was being carried out on Monday afternoon, Cheshire Police said.

Neighbours said the tree-lined street in the Fearnhead area of the town had been plagued by anti-social behaviour for years.

Extra patrols

Andrew Brocklehurst, 20, said he heard shouting in the street and when he went outside police and an ambulance were already on the scene.

He said: "I heard reports someone had kicked his car and he had gone out and tried to move them on and as far as I know that's when they attacked him.

"It's a shock, it really is, it's not such a bad area and this is just a guy trying to defend his own property and he's been killed.

"They are animals, they are just scum really, I can't understand how anyone could do anything like that."

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Additional patrols are now working in the community and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident."