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Goth murderer's sentence reduced Goth murderer's sentence reduced
(39 minutes later)
One of the teenage boys who kicked a 20-year-old woman to death because she was dressed as a Goth has had his murder sentence reduced. One of the teenage boys who kicked a 20-year-old woman to death because she was dressed as a Goth has won a cut in his minimum term for the murder.
Ryan Herbert, 16, of Bacup, Lancashire, was ordered to serve 16 years and three months for killing Sophie Lancaster. Ryan Herbert, 16, of Bacup, Lancashire, was sentenced to life and told he must serve at least 16 years and three months for killing Sophie Lancaster.
Herbert's sentence has been cut by nine months. Brendan Harris, 16, who was sentenced to 18 years for the murder, has failed to have his term reduced. The Appeal Court cut the tariff by nine months. Brendan Harris, 16, has failed to have his 18-year minimum term cut.
Ms Lancaster died 13 days after the attack in Stubbylee Park last year. Miss Lancaster died 13 days after the attack in Stubbylee Park last year.
She was trying to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby, who survived the attack.She was trying to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby, who survived the attack.
Herbert and Harris repeatedly kicked and stamped on Ms LancasterHerbert and Harris repeatedly kicked and stamped on Ms Lancaster
At the Court of Appeal in London the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and two other judges cut the minimum term to be served by Herbert to 15 years and six months.At the Court of Appeal in London the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and two other judges cut the minimum term to be served by Herbert to 15 years and six months.
Three other youths involved with Herbert and Harris in the savage attack on Mr Maltby had their sentence appeals rejected by the three judges.Three other youths involved with Herbert and Harris in the savage attack on Mr Maltby had their sentence appeals rejected by the three judges.
Lord Judge described the attack as "appalling crime".Lord Judge described the attack as "appalling crime".
Harris, Herbert, brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme, and Daniel Mallett had kicked art student Mr Maltby into unconsciousness in the park in August 2007.Harris, Herbert, brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme, and Daniel Mallett had kicked art student Mr Maltby into unconsciousness in the park in August 2007.
All five teenagers were given indeterminate sentences for public protection after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the attack on Mr Maltby. All five teenagers pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to that attack.
'Feral thuggery''Feral thuggery'
The Hulme brothers, aged 16 and 18, of Landgate, Whitworth, near Bacup are each serving a minimum of five years and 10 months. The Hulme brothers, aged 16 and 18, of Landgate, Whitworth, near Bacup, are each serving a minimum of five years and 10 months.
Mallett, 18, of Rockcliffe Drive, Bacup, is serving four years and four months.Mallett, 18, of Rockcliffe Drive, Bacup, is serving four years and four months.
Sentencing the youths at their trial, Judge Anthony Russell QC had described the attacks as "feral thuggery".Sentencing the youths at their trial, Judge Anthony Russell QC had described the attacks as "feral thuggery".
The appeals against the sentences he imposed at the Crown Court had mainly centred on the ages of the teenagers. The appeals against the sentences he imposed at the crown court had mainly centred on the ages of the teenagers.
Three other teenagers failed to have their sentences reduced
Dismissing the appeals of four of them, Lord Judge said the appeal of Herbert was being allowed to a "very limited extent".Dismissing the appeals of four of them, Lord Judge said the appeal of Herbert was being allowed to a "very limited extent".
At the trial of the youths, the court heard that Miss Lancaster and Mr Maltby had walked through the park and chatted to some of the teenagers gathered there in what was initially a "good-natured" conversation.
The gang, who had been drinking, turned on the young couple simply because they were Goths and were dressed differently, the jury was told.
Mr Maltby was kicked and beaten and was lying bleeding when the attackers turned on Miss Lancaster. Her head was stamped on repeatedly.
Det Supt Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Police, said it was one of the most violent murders he had seen.