Anniversary service for Newlove

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The widow of Garry Newlove led the tributes

A service to mark the first anniversary of the murder of a father-of-three who was attacked outside his home included moving tributes from his daughters.

Garry Newlove, 47, was kicked to death in Warrington after confronting three drunk youths who were vandalising a car belonging to his wife Helen.

She led the tributes at the service by sharing his family's memories.

A candlelit procession to the spot where Mr Newlove was fatally injured on 10 August, 2007, also took place.

Three days after the attack Mr Newlove's life support machine was switched off.

In letters to their father, read out by Mrs Newlove to the congregation of 200 at Christ Church in Warrington, Zoe, Danielle and Amy Newlove lamented the moments in their lives that their father will miss.

Mr Newlove's life support machine was switched off three days after the attack

Danielle, 16, said in her letter that she missed her dad's smile and sitting down to family meals. She said: "My dad never saw my 16th birthday, he never got to see me in my prom dress. That's something every daughter wishes their dad to see.

"I can't believe he is gone. He will never walk me down the aisle or see his grandchildren."

Mrs Newlove's voice became choked as she read Zoe's letter, which stated: "I get told time's a great healer. I wish time could rewind itself, I wish this time would rewind so this person would see me graduate from university."

Daughter Amy, 13, wrote: "He wasn't just my father, he was my best friend. As a family we did everything together and now as a family we are broken into pieces."

'Never heal'

Mrs Newlove had spoken earlier about how it was going to be "a very emotional day but it won't be sombre".

"Time is not a healer, I'll never heal. I can't plan for the future at all," she said.

Recalling the 12 months since her husband's death, Mrs Newlove added: "My life is very lonely - a jigsaw piece is missing."

Garry Newlove's widow speaks out

Rev Stephen Attwater praised Mrs Newlove's "resilience and bravery".

Adam Swellings, 19, Stephen Sorton, 17, and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, were convicted of Mr Newlove's murder at Chester Crown Court in February. Swellings, of Meredith Street, Crewe, was sentenced by the court to serve a minimum of 17 years in jail and Sorton, of Honister Street, Warrington, was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years.

Both have been granted leave to appeal against their sentences.

Cunliffe, formerly of Rowland Close, Warrington, was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in jail.