Two jailed for life for park murder

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Sophie Lancaster, 20, was killed by Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, by repeated stamps and kicks to her head as she lay defenceless.

She was "volleyed" in the face, as if in kicking a football, by Herbert and kicked in the head by Harris, as she cradled her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, 21.

Harris, along with Herbert, brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme, 17 and 16, and Daniel Mallet, 17, had moments earlier stamped and kicked art student Mr Maltby into unconsciousness as Miss Lancaster tried to save him.

The savagery of the attack was such that paramedics could not tell which sex the victims were. Miss Lancaster died in hospital 13 days later. Robert survived, but is mentally and physically scarred, after the attack in Bacup, Lancashire, last August 10.

The young couple were at first friendly with the gang, who had been drinking cider, lager and Peach schnapps throughout the night.

But they suddenly and "mercilessly" turned on Mr Maltby, "like a pack of wild animals", encouraging each other as they kicked and stamped on his head.

Miss Lancaster tried to protect him before Harris and Herbert turned on her. She too had her head repeatedly kicked, jumped and stamped upon.

Harris, convicted of Miss Lancaster's murder after a trial last month, was jailed for life, but must serve at least 18 years before parole. Herbert was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years three months before parole, after he pleaded guilty to murder. Both Hulme brothers must serve a minimum of five years and 10 months, and Mallett four years four months. All the defendants are from Bacup.

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.