A SENIOR Liverpool judge last night hit out at law-makers, left-wing intellectuals and well-meaning do-gooders who force judges to release “feral and lawless youths� into communities on bail.
Judge Ian Trigger launched his heart-felt tirade as he sentenced a 19-year-old youth who smashed a woman on the head with an iron bar while on bail for knifing a man in the back.
He was speaking just a day after three youths were convicted of the murder of Warrington father-of-three Garry Newlove, 47.
Following their convictions at Chester Crown Court, it emerged that Adam Swellings, 19, had been bailed for an assault, just hours before the fatal attack.
Warrington MP Helen Jones is last night demanding an inquiry into why a court had released Swellings, allowing him to commit murder.
But Judge Trigger believes judges are forced into the move by the current state of the law.
He told the trial of Yousef Rakeeb, of Cloverdale Road, Belle Vale: "It is the fault of politicians that bail is so readily granted rather than judges or magistrates because Parliament and its woeful and, indeed, dreadful concentration on rights forgets duties and responsibilities and it has meant people like you have the right to bail in these circumstances.
"We are living in a society bedevilled by wild, feral youths such as you. Before we plunge into even greater violence at the hands of lawless and irresponsible youths, it is time for us to address the problem.�
He is also urging the Government to release police officers from “administrative tasks and red tape and be once more a visible 24-hour-a-day presence on our streets, particularly in our violent hot-spots�.
"It is time for parents to resume control over their off-spring.
"It is time for the public not to criticise the police but support them, so wild youths like you are brought to justice. It is time for left-wing intellectuals and well-meaning do-gooders to abandon their obsession and concentrate on obligations and responsibili-ties which we all owe each other.
"It is time for community and faith leaders to condemn the prevalent violence on our streets rather than excuse or condone it and it is time for sentencers to send a clear warning that violence will not be tolerated. And it is particularly time for those who have the task of upholding sent-ences of judges to uphold those sentences, and to remember that what ordinary members of the public crave is a robust system to try to rid our towns and cities of the existing systematic lawlessness," said Judge Trigger.
He imposed an indefinite sentence of detention on Rakeeb for public protection, and ordered he serve a minimum of five years.
As Garry Newlove’s widow, Helen, vowed to press MPs to “make our streets safer�, the judi-ciary gave a statement explaining why Swellings was bailed.
The Government has pledged to learn lessons from the murder of sales manager Mr Newlove, as MPs from all parties demanded an urgent debate on bail conditions for violent criminals.
The judiciary statement said: “Magistrates have a duty to review bail and ensure there are still substantial grounds for keeping the defendant in custody.
“On August 10, Adam Swellings admitted assault and obstruction of a police officer. Magistrates indicated a custodial sentence would not be imposed but ordered reports to consider the appro-priate non-custodial sentence. They considered all the material and were not satisfied that a remand in custody was justified.�
But Warrington North Labour MP Helen Jones called for a Commons debate on bail conditions, and has written to the Attorney General demanding an inquiry.
Swellings had been bailed on condition he stayed away from Warrington, but he never left the town. Instead, he met up with fellow gang members Stephen Sorton, 17, of Warrington, and 16-year-old Jordan Cunliffe, formerly of Warrington, and began a drink and drugs binge.
Ms Jones said: “What was done to ensure he (Swellings) complied with that condition? My under-standing is that Adam Swellings had a history of offences and breaching court orders. There are serious questions that need to be asked about this.�
Commons Leader Harriet Harman said she would raise the matter with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. She added: “We all want to learn the lessons of that terrible crime and we continue to determine to take action against serious violent crime.�
A spokesman for the Attorney General’s office said: “Decisions on bail are a matter for courts. We will consider the letter from Helen Jones MP when we receive it.�
In an email yesterday, legal secretary Helen Newlove, 44, said she would be campaigning on behalf of her murdered husband.
She said: “I have woken up this morning still feeling numb, but I feel I need to carry on vocalising my issues through other channels. I am determined to carry on for the sake of my wonderful husband, Garry. He will not have died in vain.
“I will be making sure that they (politicians) do not just sit up and listen to me but put action into place to protect society and make these people who we vote in to Parliament carry out their promises and make our streets safer.�