Park attack victim loses fight for life

August 23, 2007

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SOPHIE Lancaster

THE 20-year-old victim of a horrific 'mob attack' in Bacup has lost her fight for life.

Former Haslingden High School pupil Sophie Lancaster suffered horrific head and facial injuries when she and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were assaulted in Stubbylee Park in the early hours of 11 August, leaving them both in comas.

Devastated family were told earlier in the week that she would not recover and went to say their last goodbyes at her bedside in Hope Hospital, Salford.

And today (Friday) the heartbreaking decision was made to turn off Sophie's life support machine; she died at 11.30am.

Rob's uncle and close friend of the couple Nigel Lancashire said: 'We are all just horrified. Both families are absolutely devastated.

'You don't think it can happen to someone you know; these things happen to someone else. All her friends managed to get to see her and everyone who mattered got to say their goodbyes.'

Robert, known as Rob, was briefly allowed out of Rochdale Infirmary on Wednesday to pay his girlfriend an emotional last visit. A former student at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar, he also suffered severe head and facial injuries, but his condition has improved.

Mr Lancashire described his nephew as very 'disorientated and confused'.

He said Rob, 21, had been asking about Sophie all the time and when he saw her to say goodbye it was 'heartbreaking'.

The couple, both of Bacup, were allegedly assaulted by a group of people at the skate park at around 1.20am after spending the evening at a friend's house

Five youths, three aged 15 and two aged 17, have been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the assault on Sophie and Robert; the police and Crown Prosecution Service are now reviewing those charges.

Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who described the incident as a 'mob attack' is leading the investigation.

He said: 'It is tragic that this young woman has now died. Our thoughts are obviously with her family. Anyone who saw the attack or has any information should contact the police.'

Several readers voiced their horror over what happened after reading last week's Free Press article; one claimed footage of the alleged attack had been on home video website YouTube.

A spokesman for site owners Google UK said: 'A video of this nature would be immediately removed.'

DI Holden said he was aware of the claims about YouTube but the police had not found anything. Anyone who witnessed anything is asked to contact Rawtenstall CID on 237443, the control room on 01282 4721360 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

CLICK here to leave your tributes to Sophie in our special online book of condolence

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Jay, Haslingden (23/08/2007 at 17:01)

How come these people who have already been charged have been released on bail? The details of the attack and the severity of it should surely mean that they are a danger to Bacup/Rossendale as a whole.
The whole thing smacks of the situation a couple of years ago when every week us "moshers" would have to visit or collect a mate from the hospital to the point where we stopped going out in Rossendale. Nothing was ever done by the police but every time we spoke to them they would say "Oh we know who cause the trouble".

This attack has affected a lot of people as the couple have a lot of friends and family who are clearly very upset and everyone is hoping Soph pulls through. I just hope those caught are punished severely.

denise, bacup (23/08/2007 at 17:07)

i think everyone who was there that night are all to blame someone could have stoped the attacked and no one did .what is bacup becoming

luke, preston (23/08/2007 at 18:12)

that is horrific, obviously chavs, surprise surprise, for everyone i truly hope she comes out of this fine, im 100% sickened....

luke

sue, bacup (23/08/2007 at 19:17)

it said last week that only 2 have been remanded what about the others .they can not get away with what they have done to matt and sophie my heart goes to both familys,what is bacup coming to.it not fit to bring children up in

julie, bacup (23/08/2007 at 20:47)

i am absolutely disgusted to hear about this horrific attack in stubylee park. my thoughts and prayers go out to both families.

mk, stacksteads (23/08/2007 at 20:48)

Our thoughts are with the families and hope they both pull through. How are we allowed to let our children grow up to gain independence and be safe when these thugs are on the loose and we cannot let them express their own individuality in case they are beaten up or ridiculed.What happened to free spirit?

C, rawtenstall (24/08/2007 at 08:30)

Thank God for that. I've heard so many rumours in the last few days. This is such a relief and such a nice thing to wake up to.

I hope she gets better soon and I hope that the people that did this don't recieve micky mouse justice.

Get well guys. Everyone's praying for you.

Jimmy, Bacup (24/08/2007 at 10:29)

My hopes, thoughts and wishes have been with Rob and Sophie and both of their families since the word spread throughout the town of such a sickening assault. Bacup (and the UK) seems to have hit an all new low, with a tidal wave of Yob behaviour sweeping through the streets. These Yobs think everybody else owes them something, that the government owes them something...that's the mentality of them! I do not know how those responsible for this attack can even live with themselves. These punks should be deported from the country along with their whole families because they nothing but a plague...a black cloud, smothering the public of bacup and rossendale. They should be warned; tensions are rising against these scumbags and soon they will get their sentence...with or without the help of police. Get well soon Rob & Sophie, everybody is thinking of you

Gemma Buckley, London (Previously Rochdale) (24/08/2007 at 10:43)

I went to Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar school and have just recently moved to London. Down here I have been very anxious with the rise of gang related crime in London that seems to be on the news every day, then this morning I had a call from by best friend (who also went to BRGS) who told me this horrific story. All the anxiety, worry and fears people have about the rise in these types of crimes happening in the big cities - well apparently it now happens in a quiet valley town in Rossendale!! To the ignorant, small-minded children that did this, I hope you realise - it will probably take weeks, months, even years before this couple can recover from their trauma, but for you, the ones that attacked, the ones that watched, the ones that chose to turn a blind eye - no matter what punishment you receive, your actions on that night will give you sleepless nights for the rest of your pitiful lives. My thoughts are with the couple and their families. I hope you both make a full recovery and I sincerely hope justice is served x

SICKEND, rawtenstall (24/08/2007 at 12:05)

it has been blatantly and increasingly obvious over the past few years that there are certian groups of people across the valley who share this evil twisted mentality, it can be witnessed most weekends let alone on youtube etc where similar scenarios are posted for 'entertainment'. why these thugs think it is ok to endanger another persons life for sheer kicks and street cred is beyond any human trait. it sickens me further when the police also know who these mobs are because it is damn right obvious to everyone is such small communities, rossendale has a tightly knit community of good and decent folk who do not deserve such treatment just because they are into a different music, trend or scene than those in question. The SCUM and the families (hang your heads in shame the lot of you) of those who did this need to realise that this kind of brutality has no place in todays society, as far as i am now concerend these people are no longer credible as human beings, but sick animals who should be treated accordingly.It is so deeply upsetting to think that this is what it has come to for people to realise/take action against what vicious rats live amongst us -i hope that it haunts you for the rest of your sorry little lives. my heart goes out to rob and sophie, families and our friends, godspeed to everyone it has affected.

ben, huddersfield (24/08/2007 at 13:07)

just wanted to express my deepest sympathy to sophies family,and rob. we go way back and i have some very happy memories of growing up around you and the family. i am so sorry for your loss, she will never be forgotten

Pete, Accrington (24/08/2007 at 13:09)

I have just heard the very tragic news that Sophie has lost her fight for life. I spent last night praying that both would pull through as the world we live in need peaceful loving people and today we have lost one. I cannot put into words what I feel against the cowards who caused this as my thoughts are only with Sophie and Rob and their loving families, however only to say that these people have no compassion, love or morals when they can cause so much pain to fellow humans and especially to a young woman.
Bless you Sophie, My thoughts Rob

Craig Gilman - Chapter President - Goth Help Us , Birmingham UK, Birmingham (24/08/2007 at 13:20)

As representative in the UK I've been collecting messages of goodwill from supporters around the world who are part of our organisation Goth Help Us. I'll be forwarding them on shortly. We are deeply troubled by this as want to do anything we can to help the families. We will not let this go unnoticed. www.gothhelpus.org

Tam, Stacksteads (24/08/2007 at 13:25)

Are hearts are with both family's who have been affected by this vicious assault and now the ending of a young life. We are thinking of you all at this heartbreaking time.
I would also like to say that the parents of these evil thugs should be ashamed of themselves for letting their kids do what ever they god dam please with no thought for others. I can say from personal experience that these parents are no better then their kids. They should be run out of town!!!!!!

G+K, Bacup/stacksteads (24/08/2007 at 13:31)

I hope these kids will be named and shamed. This story has sickened me! Get the scum involved behind bars where they belong!
I just feel so sorry for Rob and the families involved. My thoughts are with all Sophies and Robs families and friends
Bacup will never be the same place after this horror story x

sara r, Oxford (24/08/2007 at 13:32)

I have been following your fight as best i can, information past from a distort mother to my very distressed brother. I'm sorry that sophie has not made it. i'm sorry that it came to this. I don't know what to say, my heart bleeds for you. xx

tony, bacup (24/08/2007 at 13:42)

This is murder and nothing less than.
R.I.P

AD, Bacup (24/08/2007 at 13:51)

What words can we use to describe the loss to the families of these two bright shing individuals. I didn't know them but they sound like good people of whom their families can be proud.
What words can be used of the people who did this? Time to bring back hanging. And put the parents in jail. RIP Sophie.

c, bacup (24/08/2007 at 13:53)

all i can say is,im really sickend by what those little animals (thats putting it lightly)have done i hope the justice system give them all what they deserve. sophies family iam so sorry for your loss,i cannot even begin to imagine how much pain you are suffering,and to rob,what was an ordinary weekend for you and sophie as now turned into your worst night mare,and for what???because a gang of illiterate,ill mannerd,scum got kicks out of doing what they did to you both,again i cannot say enough how sorry i feel for your loss. hope both families pull through this traumatic time.
god bless you all,a sickend parent that has to live amongst this scum!!!!!!

Elle, Australia (24/08/2007 at 14:27)

I, like Craig, am a member of Goth Help Us, and find this absolutely DISGUSTING. How one person can do that to another is completely beyond me. What pleasure can be drawn from someone else's pain? What joy is there in seeing a fellow human bleed, knowing that you caused the loss? I agree with previous comments - this is nothing short of murder. Also, what can be said to the parents of the children that committed this horrible act? How must they feel? Some of the gang members were just fifteen... that is too young. Where do these young people get their ideas from?

What is the world coming to?

I feel deeply for the families of both victims.

Chris, Rossendale (24/08/2007 at 14:39)

A tragic loss, my heart goes out to Sophie & Bobs families. Lets hope justice will prevail and take the ******** that did this off the streets.

Lauren, Manchester (24/08/2007 at 15:06)

My heart goes out to Sophie and Rob's Families at this terrible time. I hope the perpetrators are caught and punished. Age should be no object to a conviction for murder and I hope they are never allowed to walk the streets again.

Stay Strong Bob, we are thinking about you.

P, Helmshore (24/08/2007 at 15:16)

It has just been announced on national radio that Sophie has lost her battle for survival.

I cannot fully imagine what is now going through the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her.

Our eyes sting and throats ache when we think of this young couple. It's called empathy and we're lucky to have it.

The unrestrained compulsion to destroy anything which is different and beautiful is a common trait found in the stupid and ugly amongst us -it's fuelled by jealousy and narrow mindedness. These sociopaths are very adept at destroying liberties and tearing lives apart.

I so hope that Rob's heart will eventually heal, that Sophie's family will grow stronger than ever and lastly, that the pond dwelling oxygen thieves who practiced their one collective skill so enthusiastically that night are taken and put out of sight, so that we can vainly kid ourselves they were never born.

A, Bacup (24/08/2007 at 16:21)

My heart goes out to sophie and robs family and friends. This is horrific i have been hoping so much that she would be ok. to hear that this young girl has been taken away from those so dear in this terrible way is just heart wrenching. I so hope that justice is done for them. As a parent of young children i never want my children to think that this sort of yob culture is normal and acceptible. beacause it certainy never should be.

kate conboy-greenwood, haslingden (24/08/2007 at 16:22)

My three sons grew up with Sophie, from playgroup, through school they were good friends. They shared all their birthday parties and school plays, I painted her lovely face.
How do I help them with this, what can I say to them now? What do we say to Sylvia, John and her brother Adam? I don't know anyone that's been murdered. It's not the same as an accident, this was a brutal murder. I urge people to be careful, make sure you know where your punk,goth, emo or any young son or daughter who isn't wearing the "uniform" of the "scally"is tonight. Make sure they are safe. I regularly spend time with big groups of young people at my sons gigs, wonderful people who are bright,creative and just want to enjoy the music and company of their friends. Often a brilliant night is ended when they make their way home, facing at least insult and at worst attack. Sadly the police treat them all the same when they should support what they do, keeping young people entertained, then perhaps they would all be safer. Rest now Sophie,peace Bob, our love is with you.

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