|
Kill Total: |
1 |
Kill place: |
Bacup,
Lancashire |
|
Kill date: |
August
2007 |
Victim(s): |
Sophie
Lancaster |
|
Date of Birth: |
1992
1993 |
Marital Status: |
Single |
|
AKA: |
Unknown |
Occupation: |
|
Sophie Lancaster aged 20,
and her boyfriend Robert Maltby aged 21, were in Stubby
Lee Park in Bacup, Lancashire, when they were attacked .between
01:10 hours and 01:20 hours on Saturday, 11 August 2007,
at the
skate park
area of
Stubby Lee Park,
Bacup,
Lancashire.
The youths set about Mr
Maltby, kicking him to the ground, when Sophie pleaded
with them to stop they set about her, kicking her, and
stamping on her head,.
The gang, who had been
drinking heavily , had turned on the young couple simply
because they were Goths. One witness a 15-year-old boy,
told police: "They were running over and just kicking her
in the head and jumping up and down on her head."
Sophie, who was a gap
year student, died from serious head injuries two weeks
after the attack while 21 year-old Mr Maltby survived the
incident.
Harris admitted punching Mr Maltby once in the face, but
claimed he played no further part in the attack.
Both Harris and Herbert pleaded guilty to causing grievous
bodily harm to Mr Maltby, along with three others, two
aged 17 and one 16.
Ryan Herbert admitted the
killing of Sophie on 11th August 2007. Harris pleaded not
guilty along with three others, they went to trial at
Preston crown court in March 2008.
27th March 2008
Brendan Harris was found guilty of Sophie's murder. Murder
charges against three other youths - two aged 17 and one
aged 16 - were withdrawn by the CPS.
Speaking after the
verdict Det Supt Gradwell said
it was one of the most violent murders he had come across
in his lengthy career.
He added: "It was a totally
unnecessary and appalling set of circumstances.
"I do not think Herbert and
Harris have recognised how violent the attack was.
"They have just done it
without thinking but they have seemed to have enjoyed it
and carried on remorselessly kicking at two very
defenceless people who were unable to protect themselves
because of the level of violence inflicted upon them.
"There was a total lack of
parental control.
"I am very critical of some
of the parents involved. I really don't think they have
taken completely seriously how repulsive this incident
was."
He said that when Harris
was initially interviewed about the assaults he was
"laughing and joking" with his mother.
