Gothic Girl Wear

A judge said the sadistic savagery of a gang of teenagers who attacked a young couple for being goths, “degrades humanity itself” as he jailed them for more than 40 years.

Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, stamped and kicked Sophie Lancaster, 20, in the head as she lay defenceless.

She was “volleyed” in the face by Herbert, as if he was kicking a football, and kicked in the head by Harris as she cradled her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, 21.

Harris, along with Herbert, brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme, 17 and 16, and Daniel Mallet, 17, had moments earlier stamped and kicked Mr Maltby unconscious as Miss Lancaster tried to save him.

The savagery of the attack, launched simply because the pair were goths, was such that paramedics could not tell which sex the victims were. Miss Lancaster died in hospital 13 days later. Robert survived, but was mentally and physically scarred by the attack in Bacup, Lancashire, last August.

Preston Crown Court heard he found the world a “terrifying place” and had regressed to being like a child because of long-term damage suffered in the assault.

He still suffered from a lack of co-ordination, could not sleep properly and was receiving anti-depressant drug therapy.

In a statement, read out on his behalf by prosecutor Michael Shorrock, QC, the art student said: “There has been a huge change in my behaviour and outlook. I have regressed to being something similar to a child. I really just like to think I’m only eight months old. I’m finding the whole world a terrifying place.

“I still feel guilty about what happened to Sophie and feel responsible for her death.”

Miss Lancaster’s mother, Sylvia, said in a victim impact statement: “Their actions are so heinous I can’t bring myself to think about it. My daughter’s last moments on earth must have been a living hell.”

The young couple were at first friendly with the gang, who had been drinking cider, lager and peach schnapps. But they suddenly and “mercilessly” turned on Mr Maltby, “like a pack of wild animals”, encouraging each other as they kicked and stamped on his head.

Miss Lancaster tried to protect him but Harris and Herbert turned on her. The gang boasted of battering “two moshers”.

Harris was yesterday jailed for life, and must serve at least 18 years, Judge Anthony Russell ruled. Herbert was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years three months, after he pleaded guilty to murder.

Both Hulme brothers must serve at least five years and ten months, and Mallett four years four months. The sentences reflected the savagery of the attacks, Judge Russell told the court.

“This was feral thuggery,” he said. “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.”

About 30 goths attended court to support the victims’ families. They gathered on the steps outside as the defendants’ families left without comment.
- Source: The Scotsman, Apr. 28, 2008