One of Sophie Lancaster’s killers has been deemed “suitable” to be released from prison after 15 years.
Sophie died at the age of 20 after being “savagely and mercilessly attacked” by a gang of teenage boys whilst coming to the aid of her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, when the pair were walking through Stubbylee Park in Bacup during the early hours of 11 August 2007.
The gang lunged at Robert and then struck Sophie as she tried to protect him, leaving Robert in a coma as a result of the attack.
Sophie sadly never recovered, however, and died from her injuries 14 days later.
According to court hearings that followed the horrific attacks, it appeared that the young couple were attacked because they looked and dressed like goths.
Now, one of Sophie’s killers, Ryan Herbert – who was 16 when he was handed a life sentence after admitting to murdering the 20-year-old, and also pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Robert Maltby – is to be freed from prison after he was given a minimum term of 16 years and three months.
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Ryan Herbert was 16 when he was handed a life sentence after admitting to murdering 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster / Credit: Lancashire Police
Herbert first had his sentence reduced to 15 years after and appeal, and then had his tariff cut to 14-and-a-half years in 2020 when a High Court judge concluded that he had made “exceptional progress” in jail.
Now, the Parole Board have decided Herbert can be released from prison on licence, 15 years after he took part in the attack.
The Parole Board said they found Herbert had made “significant changes to his life which reflected his remorse, his insight and increased maturity”, and added in a document setting out the decision that: “After considering the circumstances of his offending and examining the evidence for the progress made while in custody, the panel was satisfied that Mr Herbert was suitable for release.”
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The document continued: “No concerns about compliance had been identified and Mr Herbert had good working relationships with professional staff.”
Witnesses, including his probation officer, recommended he be released on licence.
Sophie died at the age of 20 after being “savagely and mercilessly attacked” for being a goth / Credit: The Sophie Lancaster Foundation
Sophie’s mother, Sylvia Lancaster – who launched a foundation in her daughter’s memory to stand against violence and prejudice – said in a statement: “I’m obviously very disappointed in the result of the parole hearing [as] once again, we have a justice system that fails to deliver justice, however much progress people make in prison, they have been given their sentence in recognition of the extent of their crime.
“The judge at the murder trial described the attack on Sophie as “feral”, with the attackers’ behaviour “savage and merciless” [and] her injuries were so severe, the paramedics attending the scene could not facially distinguish if she were male or female.
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“How can you bear knowing the reality of the level of violence my daughter was subjected to, and stack that up against reducing the minimum tariff because they have done well in prison? However they have progressed, the minimum justice for the family is them serving the sentence they were given.
“Her attackers may not have been given a life sentence, but I have.”
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.
Emily Sergeant -
17th March 2022 
