Award for Baroness Newlove in week Garry would have been 60

In 2007, Garry was beaten to death in front of his wife and daughters outside their home in Fearnhead by a gang of youths who had been drinking underage.

Three teens were subsequently jailed for the attack on the dad-of-three who died in hospital 36 hours after being repeatedly kicked and punched.

Since his death, Baroness Newlove has been a prolific campaigner, fighting the UK’s binge-drinking culture and anti-social behaviour, lobbying for improved support for victims of crime, and pushing for tougher sentences for those criminals who destroy other people’s lives.

Baroness Newlove got a standing ovation

It’s for her tireless campaigning that the mother of three received this year’s Judge’s Special Achievement Award, which she was presented with by two of her daughter’s, Zoe and Amy.

In an emotional speech she dedicated her award to husband and daughters before thanking the people of Warrington who helped her family through such a tragic time.

“Garry would have been 60 last week, and for me it’s a poignant birthday,” she said.

“I stand here to ensure every victim of crime in our United Kingdom or in the UN where I have the privilege to ensure their voices are heard, if it’s the last thing I do. Because Garry was a loving father who adored his three daughters, he did everything for them.

Helen and her daughters Zoe and Amy

“For me he was never going to be a statistic. For me I was going to protect my daughters from the pain they suffered.

“I would also personally like thank the people of Warrington. You were so supportive, and I didn’t even know you.

“I am very grateful and proud to be Baroness Newlove of Warrington. I can’t thank you enough.”

The award was a surprise for Baroness Newlove, who believed she had been invited to the ceremony to present and award.

“It was quite a shock – I felt incredibly emotional, especially when I saw my girls” she said.

“But it’s been a wonderful evening and it’s important for me because I got the opportunity to thank people from here. I’ve never had the ability to do that before in my hometown.

“The support we got, me, the girls, has never left me. It just shows what a community we are.

“This is proper awards ceremony as I see it, because these people are doing amazing things for no extra – they’re doing it because that’s what communities do.

“I do what I do because of my three girls. Garry wanted them brought up with manners and morals, and I’ve tried to instil that in them.

“And I’ll carry on campaigning in his name because the criminal justice system does not help people, it traumatises them.”

Zoe said: “It’s really nice to see my mum’s work recognised like this. We’re really proud of her. It could have gone two ways – mum could have just done nothing, and dad’s name could have been forgotten, but it’s gone completely the other way.

“By being able to help other families she’s taken a negative and turned it into a positive.”

Amy added: “We wouldn’t be where we are unless it was for what mum does for us on a daily basis.

“She puts everyone before herself, and getting this award shows the work she actually does. Victims, in mum’s eyes, come first – she doesn’t want anyone else to go what we went through. That’s always at the forefront of her mind.”