TWO teenagers were jailed for life today for brutally murdering a young woman in a park because she was dressed as a Goth.

Sophie Lancaster, 20, was kicked and stamped to death as she begged the pair to stop beating her boyfriend in Bacup, Lancashire, last August.

Ryan Herbert, 16, of Rossendale Crescent, Bacup, who admitted murder, received a 16-year minimum term.

His accomplice Brendan Harris, 15, of Spring Terrace, Bacup, Lancashire, who was convicted after a trial last month, was given a minimum of 18 years.

Passing sentence Judge Anthony Russell QC said: “This was feral thuggery.

“It raises serious questions about the sort of society which exists in this country at the start of a new millennium which was heralded with such optimism.

Gap-year student Miss Lancaster cradled her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, 21, in her arms as she begged the two to stop beating him in Stubbylee Park last August.

Her plea was ignored as Harris delivered a flying kick to her head and Herbert volley-kicked her in the face “like a ball in flight”.

The injuries to both victims were so severe that paramedics could not tell which sex either was. A clear footwear pattern was visible on Miss Lancaster's head.

Both fell into comas but Miss Lancaster never regained consciousness and died in hospital 13 days later.

Neither of the defendants knew the couple, who were both Goths, and the only motive was they simply looked different from them.

Sentencing them today, the judge told Harris and Herbert: “This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it.

Wild animals

“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.”

Three other teenagers who took part in the initial attack on Mr Maltby can now be named for the first time after the judge lifted an order banning the press from identifying them.

Brothers Joseph, 17, and Danny Hulme, 16, both of Landgate, Whitworth, near Bacup, and Daniel Mallett, 17, of Rockcliffe Drive, Bacup, all pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Maltby. They did not take part in the attack on Sophie, the court was told.

Judge Russell jailed Mallett for four years and four months and the Hulme brothers for five years and 10 months each.

There was no reaction from the defendants but Hulme's mother left the court in tears.

Judge Russell said both victims were totally innocent and were subjected to cruel and sadistic behaviour.

He described the Goth community as “perfectly peaceful law-abiding people who pose no threat to anybody”.

He added: “The intolerance you displayed in this case is shocking evidence of the attitudes of some of our people.

“I am satisfied having heard all the evidence there was an intention by each of you to inflict severe pain and suffering.

“This was a hate crime against these completely harmless people targeted because their appearance was different to yours.”

He described Sophie as a caring young woman who wrote poetry and read books and had charmed many people.

“Her tragic fate has touched many hearts,” he added.

Earlier today the judge heard that Mr Maltby, who was not in court, now finds the world a “terrifying place” and still suffers long term physical and emotional damage.

A statement from him was read out by Michael Shorrock QC, prosecuting.

“There has been a huge change in my behaviour and outlook,” Mr Maltby said.

“Before all this happened I was settled into a life quite independent. My life was set up and I had control over everything.

Regressed

“Now I have regressed to being something similar to a child. I really just like to think I'm now only eight-months-old. I'm finding the whole world a terrifying place.

“I'm aware this is terribly cowardly but I don't know how I'm supposed to cope.

“I still feel guilty about what happened to Sophie and feel responsible for her death. I'm a much more pessimistic person and have become introverted since the assault.”

His mother, Tracy, told the court: “He's gone from someone fiercely independent to someone who barely leaves the house.”

Sophie's mother, Sylvia, 52, along with Mr Maltby's mother, father and brother, and 15 other friends and relatives, some in Goth clothing, sat in the jury box and seats alongside it.

Across the courtroom sat the families of the defendants, with police and security standing guard close by.

Judge Russell warned that anyone who disturbed the court would be arrested and ejected.

Following the verdict last month, Miss Lancaster's mother said society needed to reflect on what had happened and make changes to prevent similar deaths.

She said she was uncertain she could continue her job as a youth worker - ironically trying to prevent teenagers following a life of crime.

She added: “To choose to beat and stamp a young girl to death just because she looks different and show no remorse afterwards is just so sick. I feel nothing but contempt for them.”

Detectives investigating the murder criticised the conduct of the defendants and their families throughout the criminal proceedings as “appalling”.

Harris and his mother were said to have been “laughing and joking” when they were first interviewed about the assaults.

Both the teenage killers had been drinking heavily on night of the attack.

The judge told the defendants today that he “noted the swaggering manner that some of you have displayed” in court.

“I noticed the wink that one of you exchanged with the public gallery when the murder charge was not proceeded with against you and that one of you thought it appropriate to shout out 'love you mum”'.

Hollow

He added: “You have shown little genuine shame or remorse for your actions and I regard the sentiments of regret you have sought to put forward to the Youth Offending team and through your counsel as hollow when put into the overall context of this case.”

The court also heard part of the victim impact statement from Sophie's mother today.

It read: “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.

“Not only did she witness Robert being kicked and stamped upon, but she died not knowing whether Robert lived or died after the vicious attack on him.”

The Goths in court to give support to Sophie and Robert's families today, around 30 in total, gathered on the court steps, amid a heavy police presence, while the defendants' families left the building without comment.

Afterwards the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Lancashire Robert Marshall described the case as “truly shocking”.

Mr Marshall said: “Very occasionally, in spite of all the tragic and distressing cases that the CPS has to deal with, we come across a case that stands out as truly shocking.

“The murder of Sophie Lancaster and the vicious attack on her boyfriend Robert Maltby stand out for their utter pointlessness and sheer brutality.

“Worse still, it seems very likely that the attack started as a form of amusement for those involved.

“There is no doubt that Brendan Harris and Ryan Herbert attacked Miss Lancaster and Mr Maltby simply because the couple were Goths and dressed differently.”

He added: “We can only try to imagine the loss felt by Miss Lancaster's family, who have conducted themselves with outstanding dignity and restraint throughout this difficult case.

“The final words must be our heartfelt sympathy for them.”

Outside court, Miss Lancaster's brother, Adam, 23, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their support.

“Although the sentences seem fitting and appropriate, no sentence is long enough to compensate for the loss of Sophie.”

Miss Lancaster's mother, Sylvia, added: “Justice can never be done because it will never bring her back.”

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