Goth couple badly hurt in attack
Update, Aug. 24, 2007: Woman ‘attacked for being a Goth’ dies
A couple may have been attacked in a skate park because they were goths, police in Lancashire have said.
The 21-year-old man and his girlfriend, aged 20, were found with serious head injuries in the park at Stubby Lee.
Their faces were so badly swollen that police could not tell which person was male and which was female.
Five teenage boys, aged between 15 and 17, have been charged with section 18 wounding but officers are still appealing for witnesses.
Large group
The couple were initially taken to Fairfield General Hospital but later transferred to a hospital in Manchester.
They remain in a serious but stable condition, a police spokeswoman said.
Det Insp Dean Holden, leading the inquiry, said: “We believe they were attacked by a large group of people and we are still looking for other offenders.”
All five youths are due to appear at Burnley Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
- Source: BBC, Aug. 13, 2007
This is mostly accurate. These two gentle people are in intensive care, both still in comas as a result of this cowardly attack by Bacup’s s**m offspring. As a family member of one of the victims, I can’t confirm that they were hurt because of their dress sense, but it is likely. Attacks of this nature are, as all of us who don’t conform know, growing more and more common.
Serious is an understatement - I’m 44 now, a veteran of the scene and have never laid eyes on a more vicious beating in my life. Their lives may not be in immediate danger, but we have no idea whether permanent damage has been done - until either can breathe unaided and become responsive, we are in the dark and very scared.
Comment by Family — August 13, 2007 @ 11:17 am
I’ve been in a few of these situations…mainly because of my accent (queen’s english) and my dress sense. And as a martial artist, I can say it’s almost impossible to beat numbers. Especially when you need to keep one eye on your girlfriend throughout the duration of the encounter. Especially given the premeditated nature of the attack. You have my understanding (in a limited amount) and my sympathies.
Comment by Bushido89 — August 13, 2007 @ 11:45 am
I have just learned from local news that Sophie has died as a result of this attack and would like to say to her loved ones how deeply sorry I am. My daughter is a goth and although only 13, has dressed that way for the past three years. I am sickened to think that this reason alone could justify such a vicious attack in the minds of ignorant bigots. We live abroad now and at this moment in time, I am glad that we do.
Comment by Frenchy34 — August 24, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
[…] Woman ‘attacked for being a Goth’ dies September 2nd, 2007 – 1:49 pm Tagged as: Goth News A 20-year-old woman believed to have been attacked by a gang of youths because she dressed as a Goth has died from her injuries. […]
Pingback by Woman ‘attacked for being a Goth’ dies — September 2, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
I offer my sympathies to the families, as a goth myself for the past seven years. The fact that we are often pertrayed as the villains, this attack does show that we are atually the victims. I can only hope that the world not just the UK can learn from this event.
Comment by overlord890 — April 6, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
After hearing about this attack and the subsequent trial, I was appauled that a young women could be killed by teenage thugs for looking different. I had the oppurtunity to express myself as a goth as a student, and as some one now in my early forties, I deplore this cowardly act. and the level of ignorance shown by the perpatrators. My sympathy and condolances go out to the young womens family and her boy friend.
Comment by Alan — May 1, 2008 @ 2:08 pm