[bitontheslide]

A murderer who kicked a 20-year-old girl to death because she was dressed as a Goth is to be freed from prison.

Ryan Herbert was aged 16 when he was jailed for life in 2008 for murdering Sophie Lancaster in a park in Bacup, Lancashire.

The Parole Board decided Herbert can now be released on licence.

Reacting to the decision, Sophie's mother, Sylvia Lancaster, said: "Once again we have a justice system that fails to deliver justice."

She said the original sentence reflected the "level of violence" her daughter was subjected to during a "feral" attack.

Herbert, whose minimum term was cut in 2020, and a friend battered Sophie as she cradled her boyfriend's head, who they had also attacked.

She died 13 days after being beaten by Herbert and Brendan Harris as she tried to protect Robert Maltby from attack in Stubbylee Park.

Herbert, of Bacup, admitted both murder and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was given a minimum term of 16 years and three months, which was later reduced to 15 and a half years.

He had his minimum tariff reduced to 14 and a half years in February 2020, making him now eligible for parole consideration two years later.

High Court judge Mr Justice William Davis concluded the tariff could be reduced as he had made "exceptional progress" in prison.

Ms Lancaster said she could not understand the decision being made "because they have done well in prison" when the Parole Board knew "the reality of the level of violence" Sophie had been subjected to.

"However much progress people make in prison, they have been given their sentence in recognition of the extent of their crime," she said.

Ms Lancaster said her daughter's injuries were "so severe" paramedics could not "facially distinguish if she were male or female".

The judge described the attack as "feral" and her attackers as "savage and merciless", she added.

The Parole Board's ruling found Herbert had made "significant changes to his life which reflected his remorse, his insight and increased maturity".

"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," a document setting out the decision said.

The document said Herbert's behaviour had "initially been poor" but this changed once he moved into an adult prison and he had taken part in rehabilitation programmes.

After being moved into an open prison in November 2020, he "improved his education with studies to degree level" and had "fully engaged with resettlement activities" including spending time on temporary release from jail, it added.

"No concerns about compliance had been identified and Mr Herbert had good working relationships with professional staff," it said.

Witnesses, including his probation officer, recommended he be released on licence.

Herbert will be subject to restrictions on his movements, where he lives and who he contacts.

Harris, who was found guilty of Sophie's murder in 2008 and admitted the attack on Mr Maltby, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...shire-60766768
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i can't believe they are letting another murderer out.. and this one is being released early

[arista]

[with a minimum term of 18 years.]

Yes the Evil Thug got out 4 years early

[Josy]

I remember watching a documentary about this, the attack was horrific.

[Kizzy]

I hope he never knows peace, it's odd that coronation street raised awareness of this kind of attack recently. Maybe this kind of intolerance is on the rise?
Isn't it odd that in the times we are living when people (in the UK) are considered accepting, informed and progressive. There are those who are fiercely intolerant of anyone considered different or nonconformist.

[Alf]

If I was Sophie's father, revenge would be my only objective left in life.

[UserSince2005]

I thought she was set upon by a gang, im sure there were at least 3 people that went down for her murder, whats happening with the rest.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Alf

If I was Sophie's father, revenge would be my only objective left in life.

Well he is coming out to a very different social media based world. My guess is wherever he goes it will be common knowledge within hours.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Well he is coming out to a very different social media based world. My guess is wherever he goes it will be common knowledge within hours.

Unfortunately you are wrong the so called justice system will give a new identity

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

Unfortunately you are wrong the so called justice system will give a new identity

That doesn't mean much.. my guess is within hours of release someone posts his address.

[The Slim Reaper]

Release and rehabilitation is also an essential part of the justice system. If he's served his time and is deemed to be worthy of release, then that's all that really matters.

He was 16. I'm not excusing his agency over his own actions and crime, but people grow up a lot between their mid-teens and their 30's.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

That doesn't mean much.. my guess is within hours of release someone posts his address.

The police unsurprisingly will use the full extent of its powers to prosecute those going after the convicted killer because in the eyes of the law and justice system he has paid his due.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by The Slim Reaper

Release and rehabilitation is also an essential part of the justice system. If he's served his time and is deemed to be worthy of release, then that's all that really matters.

He was 16. I'm not excusing his agency over his own actions and crime, but people grow up a lot between their mid-teens and their 30's.

People in well paid jobs kill thousands they are called the government

[Josy]

Originally Posted by The Slim Reaper

Release and rehabilitation is also an essential part of the justice system. If he's served his time and is deemed to be worthy of release, then that's all that really matters.



He was 16. I'm not excusing his agency over his own actions and crime, but people grow up a lot between their mid-teens and their 30's.

He shouldn't be released early for such a vicious attack imo

[Liam-]

What’s the point in prisons if people expect people to continue to suffer punishment even after they’ve served time?

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Liam-

What’s the point in prisons if people expect people to continue to suffer punishment even after they’ve served time?

The sentence given should be carried out entirely for more serious crimes