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Boys jailed for park Goth murder Boys sentenced over Goth murder
(20 minutes later)
Two teenage boys have been jailed for life for the murder of a woman killed because she was dressed as a Goth. Two teenage boys have been jailed for life for the murder of a woman who was killed for dressing as a Goth.
Sophie Lancaster was kicked and stamped to death by Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, in Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Lancashire, last summer.Sophie Lancaster was kicked and stamped to death by Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, in Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Lancashire, last summer.
The pair turned on Miss Lancaster, 20, after she tried to get Harris, Herbert and three other youths to stop attacking her boyfriend, Robert Maltby. The pair turned on Miss Lancaster, 20, after she tried to get Harris, Herbert and three other youths to stop attacking her boyfriend, Robert Maltby. Harris must serve a minimum of 18 years and Herbert, 16 years, the judge said.
Harris must serve a minimum of 18 years and Herbert, 16 years, the judge said. Judge Anthony Russell QC, sentencing at Preston Crown Court, described the attack as "feral thuggery" which raised serious questions about the "sort of society which exists in this country".
Judge Anthony Russell QC, sentencing at Preston Crown Court, said: "This was feral thuggery. Your behaviour on that night degrades humanity itself Judge Anthony Russell
"It raises serious questions about the sort of society which exists in this country at the start of a new millennium which was heralded with such optimism." He added: "This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it.
Victims' 'different' "At least wild animals, when they hunt in packs, have a legitimate reason for so doing, to obtain food.
"You have none and your behaviour on that night degrades humanity itself."
The judge described the Goth community as "perfectly peaceful law-abiding people who pose no threat to anybody".
He added: "This was a hate crime against these completely harmless people targeted because their appearance was different to yours."
Guilty pleas
Goths emerged as a youth subculture in the early 1980s.
Although initially used to describe a form of music, it has evolved to encompass literature, art and fashion, with its exponents typically dressing in dark clothing.
Miss Lancaster, a gap-year student, cradled 21-year-old Mr Maltby as she begged the gang to stop beating him in the park in August 2007.Miss Lancaster, a gap-year student, cradled 21-year-old Mr Maltby as she begged the gang to stop beating him in the park in August 2007.
During his trial, the court heard how Harris - who had denied murder - delivered a flying kick to her head before Herbert kicked her in the face.
The injuries to both victims were so severe that paramedics could not tell which gender either was.
Both fell into comas but Miss Lancaster never regained consciousness and died in hospital 13 days later.
The defendants did not know the couple, who were both Goths, and the only motive was they simply looked different from their attackers, the court heard.The defendants did not know the couple, who were both Goths, and the only motive was they simply looked different from their attackers, the court heard.
Three other teenagers - two aged 17 and a 16-year-old - who admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Maltby will be sentenced later. Three other teenagers were jailed for the attack on Mr Maltby
Three teenagers, two aged 17 and a 16-year-old were also jailed for the attack on Mr Maltby.
Mr Russell lifted an order banning the press from identifying them.
Brothers Joseph, 17, and Danny Hulme, 16, both of Landgate, Whitworth, near Bacup, and Daniel Mallett, 17, of Rockcliffe Drive, Bacup, all pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Maltby.
Mallett was sentenced to four years and four months and the Hulme brothers for five years and 10 months each.
They did not take part in the attack on Sophie, the court was told.
Brendan Harris had denied murder, but was convicted last month, while Ryan Herbert pleaded guilty before the trial started at Preston Crown Court.