A “FERAL” thug who battered a young woman to death in a park for being a goth has been freed from prison.
Sophie Lancaster, 20, was walking with her boyfriend Robert Maltby on August 11, 2007, when they were set upon by a gang of teen boys.
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Sophie Lancaster was beaten to death in a park Credit: Handout pic – refer to Picture Desk
Killer Brendan Harris is now being released from prison Credit: PA:Press Association
The thugs beat Robert until he was unconscious then turned their attention to Sophie as she cradled her boyfriend in the park in Bacup, Lancs.
She was kicked and stamped on so savagely she had footprints on her face and emergency workers were unable to tell who was male and female.
Both were rushed to hospital where Sophie was placed in a coma and put on life support.
Tragically, her parents were told she would never regain consciousness and her life support was switched off almost two weeks after the brutal attack.
Sophie was left with horror injuries before her death Credit: Handout
Her boyfriend was also brutally beaten by the youths Credit: Collect
Robert, who suffered internal bleeding, survived but has no memory of the horror.
Brendan Harris – then aged 15 – was jailed for life in 2008 alongside his co-defendant Ryan Herbert, 16.
Harris was given a minimum term of 17 years and 106 days before his release could be considered.
The 33-year-old has now been released on licence by the Parole Board – four years after co-accused Herbert was freed.
Ryan Herbert was released four years ago Credit: PA:Press Association
Sophie’s mum Sylvia successfully campaigned to get attacks on people from alternative sub-cultures recognised as a hate crime Credit: PA:Press Association
Danny and Joseph Hulme, aged 16 at the time, and 17-year-old Daniel Mallett were found guilty of GBH but have also already been released from jail.
Under the terms of his licence, Harris must reside at a designated address and to be “of good behaviour”.
He must also submit to an enhanced form of supervision, including drug testing, a specified curfew, a signing-in time, and alcohol monitoring.
Police investigating the killing said at the time the attack was linked to Sophie and Robert wearing gothic clothing.
The attackers had fled the park – leaving the couple for dead – but witnesses gave the names of Herbet and Harris.
They described how the “feral” local troublemakers had “jumped up and down” on Sophie’s head along with three others.
And they said her killers had boasted after the attack: “There’s two moshers nearly dead up – you wanna see them – they’re a right mess.”
In his sentencing remarks, the judge slammed the “feral thuggery” of the yobs and said the attack raised questions about the “sort of society which exists in this country”.
Jailing Harris and Herbert for life, he added: “This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it.
“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”.
In the wake of Sophie’s death, her family set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which focuses on creating respect for and understanding subcultures in our communities.
Mum Sylvia, who tragically died in 2022, successfully campaigned to get attacks on people from alternative sub-cultures recognised as a hate crime by police forces in the UK.
