Mother of Sophie Lancaster calls murderer’s move to open prison ‘unjust’
Ryan Herbert, then 16, was one of two handed a life sentence for the murder of Sophie Lancaster. He is now moving to an open prison with the option for parole in 2022.
The mother of Sophie Lancaster – a young girl who was killed for ‘dressing like a goth’ – has denounced the decision to move one of her murderers to an open prison.
Sophie, aged 20, died in 2007 after being attacked by a gang of teenage boys whilst coming to the aid of her boyfriend Robert Maltby in Bacup.
A group of thugs had followed the pair as they walked through Stubbylee Park in the early hours of 11 August 2007, lunging at Robert and then striking Sophie as she tried to protect him.
Robert was left in a coma as a result of the attack. Sophie never recovered and died from her injuries 13 days later.
Five were arrested following the assault.
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Ryan Herbert, then 16, was one of two handed a life sentence for murder.
However, it was confirmed back in February that Herbert could see an early release from prison due to ‘good behaviour’.
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Following a parole board hearing, he is now set to move to an open prison in more relaxed conditions, with the ability to apply for release on parole in February 2022 – 15 years after the murder took place.
Sophie’s mother, Sylvia, has condemned the decision.
According to Lancs Live, she said: “Anyone who has lost a loved one to violence knows that the law and justice are different things. I know he is on his journey through the system, but my beautiful daughter lost her life and we can have no respite from that loss.
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“Days like today are hard to bear – you feel overwhelmed again with the injustice and unfairness of it all. It is particularly hard to hear in August, as we face the anniversaries of the attack and of the day we lost her.”
During sentencing, Judge Anthony Russell QC had recommended Herbert serve at least 16 years and three months.
In his closing remarks he stated: “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.”
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Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
The Manc -
18th August 2020 
