Murder of Sophie Lancaster | Morbid | Podcast

In the early morning hours of August 11, 2007, Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were passing through Stubbylee Park in Lancashire, UK, when they were attacked by a group of teenage boys who beat the couple savagely, resulting in Lancaster’s death two weeks later. The next day, police arrested two of the teenagers responsible for the attack, who told authorities they’d attacked the young couple for no other reason than they were dressed like “Goths.”
The tragic assault on the young couple was shocking in and of itself, but the murder was made exponentially more shocking by the ages of the killers and the ostensibly terroristic motive, raising questions about the state of youth culture in the United Kingdom.
Thank you to the best of the best, David White for research assistance.
References
BBC. 2022. Sophie Lancaster murder: Killer Ryan Herbert to be freed from jail. March 12. Accessed March 1, 2023. www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-l....
Bunyan, Nigel. 2008. "Why did parents let Goth's killers roam the streets?" Daily Telegraph, March 28.
Butt, Riazet. 2007. "National: 'Tragedy beyond words' for family as woman, 20, dies after park attack." The Guardian, August 25.
Dunbar, Polly. 2008. "I've always tried to help young people escape crime." Mail on Sunday, March 30.
Evening Courier. 2008. "Boy, 15, 'kicked woman to death for being a goth'." Evening Courier , March 12.
-. 2008. "Two teenagers jailed for life for murder of Goth girl Sophie." Evening Courier, April 28.
Gordon, Cathy. 2008. "Goth's killers lose appeals; Teenagers must pay for 'appalling crime'." Daily Post, October 30.
Hodkinson, Mark. 2008. "United in the name of tolerance." The Guardian, August 2.
Hussain, Samrana. 2007. "Couple left badly beaten in skate park." Lancashire Telegraph, August 12.
Jackson, Kate. 2007. "Residents call for park patrols after woman’s death." Lancashire Telegraph, August 27.
Jenkins, Russell. 2008. "Youth aged 15 'kicked a woman to death because she was a Goth'." The Times, March 13.
Lancashire Telegraph. 2020. "Sophie Lancaster killer has minimum jail term cut for 'exceptional progress'." Lancashire Telegraph, February 10.
Manzoor, SarFraz. 2014. "The precious afterlife of Sophie Lancaster." Sunday Telegraph, February 23.
Rossendale Free Press. 2007. "Young couple fighting for their lives after vicious ‘mob attack’." Rossendale Free Press, August 16: www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk....
Smyth, Catherine. 2020. Weirdo, Mosher, Freak: The Murder of Sophie Lancaster. Lancashire, UK: Self-published.
Turner, Kate. 2007. "Skatepark youth 'may face murder charge'." This is Lancashire, September 27.
Usborne, Simon. 2017. "Robert Maltby on the murder of his girlfriend Sophie Lancaster." The Guardian, June 15: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2....
Wainwright, Martin. 2008. "Woman died after drunken gang attacked couple dressed as." The Guardian, March 13.
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[@rangersmetalatheist9392]

I remember being 15 years old living in the UK when this happened and had not long started dressing gothic and listening to heavy metal bands, And this incident scared me. It was already bad enough spat on, Having rocks thrown at me and my friends and being verbally abused for the way we dressed. But having the fear of being murdered was different. But this brought the Goth, Emo, Punk and Metal communities together and made us stronger. Sophie Lancaster's murder changed everything and is now attacking someone in the UK for dressing alternative is classed as hate crime. Bloodstock Open Air Festival named it's party tent after Sophie. Rest In Peace

[@LiamSeniorYT]

Grew up in Cheshire, a "mosher" myself. I remember how horrible hearing all this as it unfolded. There are no words. I also went to college with Zoey Newlove, who lost her Dad in the other unprovoked attack you mentioned. A truly shameful time in our history. My they all rest in peace, and those responsible to further face the consequences on their hayness actions.

[@KristineS73]

😭😭Such a tragedy.....Rest Easy Mom and daughter🙏🫶 Rob live your life to the fullest for Sophie❤️

[@robynvanhorn5602]

This kind of crime just doesn't make sense 😭

[@maeva5305]

My heart aches for Sophie and Rob 💔 that’s truly a tragedy, thank you for speaking for them

[@KittyCatDonut]

I’ve gotten fairly addicted to listening to your podcast , keep up the great work! ❤❤❤

[@positivechic1463]

I just wanted to say I don’t like that you guys don’t number the episodes anymore 😫😫 I have look at posting dates now

[@jerryoconnor-ps8bb]

All murders are terrible. This one however is particularly sickening. Two absolutely harmless people who dressed and looked "different ". Aren't we all different in one way or another? Sophie and Rob were obviously in love and were both very quiet young people. Sophie would be 36 and Rob is 37. They would have their own children by now and would be of great benefit to society. But this gang of thugs/ loosers kicked both of them so badly that Sophie died. Those pos who are responsible for this atrocity got off way too lightly. Thanks for highlighting the inhumanity of the sick fucks responsible. 💔

[@SimmyBassline]

Being English myself I saw this all over the news for a long time when it happened, its a truly disgusting crime.

[@twiggyramieriez5382]

The band Delain dedicated there song "we are the others" to sophie. I believe her parents are in the music video.

[@Grandmama-Rainey]

Hello Ladies! The book is awesome! Cant wait for the next one. 💜

[@tannerlangford4428]

What happened to the girl that suggested the “battering”?

[@meganwilliams7434]

No girl suggested a battering? They said the girl overheard one of the boys saying let’s batter him

[@koolaideus]

iv seen sophie shirts i love you sophie very much....dear rob i love you very much ...

[@user-iw6gu2st9g]

Sir Can you drop your business email on about section