Murdered For 'Being a Goth'

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Today's solved true crime case is on the murder of Sophie Lancaster & the assault on her boyfriend Robert Maltby because of their alternative style often referred to as goth, emo or punk. This case has since called for police forced to consider hate towards alternative communities as a hate crime.
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[@meganhash7840]

When they tried to go for "diminished responsibility" because "he had autism," as an autistic myself I literally went "oh my GOD" out loud in annoyance...last I checked autism doesn't make you commit hate crimes

[@wolfegirl1013]

Fellow autist here, being autistic actually put's you in danger of hate crimes! I was literally tortured at a school i attended for being autistic...

[@_bxive]

Yes exactly! that part annoyed me so much

[@romanceinbusan1741]

ugh me too. think i actually woke up my mum with my exasperation

[@stefani.m.1987]

Exactly! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@4ngel_Kitty]

Yeah! I myself am not autistic but I do have a few family members who are on the spectrum Ik for a fact they could never commit something this horrendous.

[@pkropka]

The girl that called emergency services and her friends are so brave. It must have been traumatising experience for them yet they didn't back out and saved a life.

[@beautyguru4you1]

Totally agree to be a young female and see that go on and be so brave to go over and risk it happening to you as well they seriously deserve some type of recognition for that act of selflessness and bravery

[@mx_potatohead1326]

I want to give her a hug and I hate hugging people

[@danniramey5876]

I know, even though they couldn't save Sophie sadly. They where able to save her boyfriend Robert. But still why treat someone like this just cause of how they look. Even though they loved the gothic life style and dressing like they did, they where practically harmless and kind people that didn't like to fight.

[@normalguycraig]

​@@danniramey5876 i also don't understand how people can enjoy inflicting that kind of violence on people, no matter their reasoning

[@meganwilliams7434]

@@normalguycraignor can I you have to be pretty f*cked in the head to enjoy kicking and stamping on a tiny girl just because you didn’t like the way she looked

[@nopenope3512]

4-5 years for putting someone in a coma is madness

[@rubydarling7564]

And causing them permanent brain damage they will have to deal with for the rest of their life

[@slipknotsmaggot3025]

How long do you think they could be sentenced for

[@rubydarling7564]

@@slipknotsmaggot3025 life

[@lolitachan8675]

@@slipknotsmaggot3025 I study UK law and according to current law, putting someone in an unrevivable coma is murder and so should come with a life sentence.

[@Office_chair]

​​@@lolitachan8675 don't know if I would say life-sentence unless it was intentional and they wanted to put them in a coma. If it was an accident and they went into a coma and never woke up I would say life but they do deserve jail time since they basically killed somebody by accident. (And apparently I need to specify it.) I'm talking about in general I'm not referencing this case obviously these boys wanted to kill and harm people. Again I'm not saying what happened in this case was accidental clearly it was intentional.

[@user-mf5mw2zr6f]

All of them should've been charged for murder and should've gotten longer. They killed Sophie and almost Rob, for what? Not dressing exactly the way they did? Those boys are disgusting. I'll never understand how someone could be so full of hate for an innocent stranger expressing themselves.

[@WeirdZara]

It's also so disgusting sense they said that they were doing something good for the world

[@dontmindme633]

And what’s crazy is they all looked exactly the same.

[@yeldaraf9399]

And they didn’t just kill them like with a gun or smth they beat them to death like imagine the amount of violence you need to put into beating someone to put them to death

[@catarinaboers794]

I say they should be put on death row, they don’t serve anything towards people, put the two boys on death-row and the mom in prison for life.

[@deraeclipse3862]

@@yeldaraf9399i mean you do have to consider this was a group of teenage boys in the UK. It’s not like the USA where getting access to a gun is just figuring out where your parents hide it and breaking it out or walking in to a store and purchasing a firearm. Only gun you can really own in your home in the uk is a hunting gun that can only really fire rubber/lead bullets that’s more designed to kill rabbits than other human beings.

[@dreamersleepwalker]

My son is autistic, when he was 4 I took him to a McDonald’s downtown Toronto. I put his stroller on the side, out of everyone’s way, but a crazy lady started shouting at us that we’re blocking the way! Two GOTH kids, a boy and a girl, high school age came up and helped me get the food and told the woman to stop harassing us. They walked me and my son to the subway and helped me with my son’s stroller. I still remember their faces after 5 years. They were so kind and polite. The grown ass woman was harassing a mom and child, but these teenagers saved me from a sticky situation. Listening to this case I had tears in my eyes. I’ve told this story to so many people because those kids were so sweet. Hope no one ever has to go through such pain because of other people’s stupidity and hate.

[@venusrresident]

im not goth, but im a young teen with a darker style and ive constantly faced hardships n misconceptions n bullying because of how i like to express myself. this case breaks my heart and feels so personal to me, and your story warms my heart so much. thank you 🖤

[@RenAsterion]

Literally all the goths I've ever met are the sweetest people. I'm glad you had such a wonderful experience with them as well.

[@sarahmargaret1676]

the goth kids slayed

[@john-ur6vq]

that happened 🧢

[@yvetti_]

@@john-ur6vq question, if you don’t mind me asking, who are you to determine what happened and what didn’t in someone’s life?

[@talina6516]

The fact that the mother was laughing about Sophies death tells us everything we need to know about why her son turned out the way he did.

[@M007ell]

absolutely :(( what a horrid example

[@adam.n-steve]

I bet she was the popular girl that terrorized other kids.

[@PookysMom6]

I assume she didn't believe her son was involved at all... Maybe laughing at how ridiculous it was. Not that it makes it right, but I'd have a hard time believing any of my children could be involved in any crimes 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@aw8951]

@@PookysMom6 maybe but they all had a history of extreme violence. No chance a mom doesn't know what their kids are capable of

[@velvelour9472]

@@aw8951 exactly

[@miniandmummyspook796]

I stopped dressing “goth” when my son was born I dyed my hair black from green / green took most my piercings out changed how I dressed because I would get harassed and my son when he went to daycare / preschool got told his mum was “ a freak” it’s sad that even today a lot of people in this culture change or hide it because of other people

[@-w-2772]

im the complete opposite of goth so i couldnt relate, but hearing things like this make my eyes water, i hate that it has to be like that over a style for different people… if everyones looking the same they get mocked, if people stray from that look they get mocked, its like you just cant be happy at all. im so sorry for your experiences and having to change yourself 🥺❤️

[@transientdaydreams]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. It's extra upsetting that people would say those things to such a young child. I'm sure you looked really cool!

[@skaio.5279]

You are a cool mom for putting your son's experience of childhood before your whole expression of yourself. Some people would say "it's bare minimum, she just changed her style" ... I mean yeah it's bare minimum but you are also putting aside more than a style, you're putting aside who you truly are for this kid's long term well being and this is what a parent should do sometimes and many do not. Keep up!

[@finn6870]

I just wanna say I really admire your approach to parenting. Whether wrong or not (and it is extremely so) your son was experiencing negative things on your behalf (again not actually your fault people suck) so you changed yourself to make his life easier. That's really admirable. Wish my mother was that way.

[@KTKaute]

That's really awful. I dolled down my goth look when I became a mum too, however I've kept my black and red hair and black clothes. No one has said anything to me about it since I was a teenager. I thought adults didn't do that to each other. Shocking

[@emmabrennan855]

This honestly breaks my heart, in college her brother came in to tell us her story and spread awareness. Whilst she was in hospital they actually brung her out of her coma 3 times and each time as she woke she began screaming and whaling. Doctors said this was her brain just repeatedly referring and being stuck in that night and most probably was the reaction she was doing during the attack. Each time this continued and forced her to be put back into a medically induced coma and then she was transferred to the specialised hospital where she was declared brain dead. I can’t even imagine witnessing this just as her family did, and her brother said the screaming was the most heartbreaking part of her story. My love and condolences will always be with this family❤

[@k1ngp1rupbensono.83]

Omg how sad! I couldn't imagine having to see her like that. Poor girl. Just for being herself it's really sad..

[@bridgettbenson6830]

The fact that the last memory he has of his sister is that and the last memory her mom had ugh. I can't imagine. My son will have night terrors and having to comfort him though that is heartbreaking to me so I can't imagine not being able to help comfort my child

[@SvalbardSleeperDistrict]

I thought I had read all the heartbreaking details of this story, and then I come across this comment.

[@angelasmithson5291]

Awe you're so nice!!🙏🥲

[@mysterium111]

as someone who’s a part of goth subculture, this case absolutely devastated me. nobody should lose their life just because of how they express themselves.

[@isaac8024]

as a goth myself - 👱🏼‍♀️

[@youremomisafat]

@@isaac8024 ???

[@annettedailey6743]

You be you.. No one can dictate how someone should look or express themselves.. Its so sad ppl are judged for being different than what society deems normal..ugh!

[@mysterium111]

@@isaac8024 bold of you to assume you know how i look.

[@AngelDelight69]

I agree. I started to crossdress to college in skirts recently and its really nice to express my self how I really want. And so far I have had no problems so things are getting better

[@cableratqueen3151]

Sophie's legacy lives on at a popular metal festival in the UK. Bloodstock has an entire Sophie Lancaster stage and they have booths selling the s.o.p.h.i.e merch. It's great to see the community letting her live on I'm our memories

[@kayleighegerton]

When I heard they named a stage after Sophie I got so emotional x

[@terrorgaming459]

Rock it on

[@buttershy_]

it's in my county! makes me so happy that she is never forgotten ♥

[@tiffanydegoya]

Very awesome

[@idktbh2307]

thats incredible

[@Miss-Placed.1]

You told Sophie and Robs story so respectfully and with kindness and compassion. I remember this case very well it was so tragic and utterly heartbreaking.

[@andreapoulieva6717]

Imagine getting 5 year for nearly killing someone and watching someone else be beat into a pulp and die from it. If I was making the rules, those boys would still be in prison right now, and for a long time to come. Disgraceful. RIP Sophie 🖤

[@pixieyla]

What they did was attempted murder! They told passersby that both of them were dead. I also don't believe the older ones didn't join in on the attack of Sophie, I agree, they should all be away for a lot longer than what they got.

[@TheSillybillyaward]

@@pixieyla Justice for Sophie Lancaster

[@meganwilliams7434]

@@pixieylaI mean Eleanor didn’t mention this in the video but witness statements backed the boys claims that they didn’t touch Sophie and there was no forensic evidence to suggest they did either so I don’t think they attacked Sophie however I 100% agree with you they should have been given attempted murder charges for what they did to Rob

[@Bella.146]

@@meganwilliams7434they should have been charged for an accessory to murder at least

[@idoru__]

these five guys basically killed someone because of the different look; yet all five of them look exactly the same. infuriating how unreasonably cruel teenagers can be.

[@m.m14]

I might've choked when I saw their faces. Like bro you seriously can't go around assaulting people cause of their looks until you fix yours

[@antifaschi7869]

@@m.m14 What? You shouldnt assault people anyway, even if your looks are okay. xD

[@desireealyssa8995]

All five look like they still piss themselves

[@m.m14]

@Vahn Williams I thought people would get what I was saying without overthinking it. Obviously don't go out assaulting people. All I did was word it wrong

[@caitlinbenoit8812]

@@m.m14 don't worry i got what you meant, just used the wrong word is all, classic human error 😊 you mean they can't say anything about anyone else and should probably look in the mirror😅😁

[@dragonfeet9832]

This case breaks my heart cause the mode of killing was so inhuman and that poor girl didn't deserve it. When can we just accept people for who they are?

[@kerys6548]

exactly. it's just such a sad case.

[@humanbeeing4780]

“Who they are” yeah no? Being emo isn’t the same as being gay or black? It’s literally a choice and not who you naturally are Like yeah we shouldn’t kill people for living that lifestyle but they aren’t oppressed at all, they’re making a conscious choice and effort to look like losers

[@beepmeepxoxo]

@@humanbeeing4780 wow bro you’re so intelligent

[@polakpl]

@@humanbeeing4780 bro what u sayin alternative ppl shouldnt be hurt for their lifestyle and u calling them losers???

[@hyunjinsanity]

@@humanbeeing4780 I agree but it's still sad that someone was murdered literally just for being Goth

[@yunishinoya9935]

Complete side note I love the family They completely accepted her daughter and saw her for who she was instead of trying to substitue a stereotype of Sophie’s subculture They accepted Rob because he genuinely cared and understood Sophie rather than thinking of him wrongly due to appearances which CLEARLY happens easily

[@Funeral_Mannequin]

Yeah, the mother was a lovely person.

[@easelss]

The brother of Sophie came into our college to talk about this case, and I've never heard silence from my classmates like it. You could tell that she was an amazing human being, loved by so many people. This is the last thing that should have happened to her. Absolutely devastating.

[@Kujin364]

Same, he conducted a lecture at our university, such a devastating case.

[@bridgettbenson6830]

I'm glad he is still helping bring awareness and helping others

[@caseymcnaughton9982]

A band called massive wagons is camping for her charity with the hashtag “fuckthehaters” and they have been bringing a lot of light to the charity they have really done alot for her and her family

[@ThatEnbyAkutagawaKinnie]

Good it should be heard about

[@crystalsmith-johnson901]

Thank you for sharing

[@witchxhuntt]

wagons are great ! all their fundraising is so genuine, people should take notes

[@sirfurbingtonthe23rd4]

I can't believe they really were like, "Yeah, he had diminished responsibility because he has autism." Last time I checked, "committing murder" wasn't a symptom of having autism.

[@lilliecooper7263]

LITERALLY, i’m autistic but have never once murdered or even thought about murdering somebody?!?

[@peenyyt4921]

I'm autistic and it really is a symptom, I can't stop killing people

[@aldranzam3456]

IKR like, because I'm autistic I can get away with murder? Is that what they are saying? What's next, my depression can justify arson?

[@elizabethratcliffe3859]

i did in fact burst out laughing im going to hell

[@ajknight8640]

Drop a like if you’re autistic and have never murdered anyone, even once

[@BenGutturals616]

I cant believe they got off like that. They all should've been forced to rot in prison for the rest of their lives...

[@jayesimond9301]

At 15, 16, 17yo, these guys knew well that their over-the-top beatings would result in death. It wasn’t bout inflicting pain, was bout erasing them. Their intent was to murder.

[@talishathode]

Ill never understand why some people take other people’s look so… personal? Like how are you so offended? When I see people that look different than what I’m used to I will literally notice them, think about it for 10 seconds, and move on. It’s so weird to me that people HAVE to do something about it?

[@kobra4422]

Yup people are so pathetic. I've seen a post on instagram harassing attractive black woman for wearing shorts exposing her buttocks. Why taking pic of someone and posting it to harass them? Me myself I like revealing clothes but I don't wear them for any attention, I was always very shy and introverted, never even got a tan cause I was at home all days. So now as an adult when I feel more confident I do the things I've never done before like getting tan and just enjoying summer! If your biggest life problem is another person looking one way or another you are super lucky!!

[@Sekavuus]

I think those people have really low IQ. Also they are failures in their own life so they try to take others Down as well

[@daisysmith9148]

I will never understand either. How do people think it’s normal for them to feel so affected by other people, strangers even just because of the things they like or their styles. It’s mind blowing.

[@jaquejiardina5000]

I have never, ever, understood the logic behind it… perhaps, because there is no logic. Just thoughtless action. I hate this girl lost her life. 😞😞

[@coyoteartist]

It's anthropological. One tribe feels the need to attack another tribe that makes them feel vulnerable.

[@cici.ngxenge]

Its incredibly weird how the human race reacts to each other the moment a person is different from them. It would be boring if we were all the same and had no uniqueness or individuality. Cases like this make me so so sad

[@bosselotiscanon]

diversity is the spice of life, as they say. rest in peace to a misunderstood angel.

[@O_Ciel_Phant0mhive]

True. Humans are disgusting because they discriminate for literally no reason. I hope those monsters burn in hell and may Sophie Rest In Peace ❤️

[@Chloe299XxX]

Humans are weird. Like they don't get someone can be different. It's like in that show Fairly Odd Parents. He wished everyone was the same.. and they all became grey blobs... We are different for a reason. To make us unique.. actually I've a weird fascination with differences 😅 I'm so curious about everything. Skin colour, hair, interests. I love learning. But always afraid someone will be insulted by my curiosity. I just genuinely love learning how different we all can be.

[@cici.ngxenge]

@@Chloe299XxX i admire that about you sweetie, same here and some of the questions i ask will be like "what's your ancestry" and it doesn't matter if youre white or black or any other race, i jus am a curious person by nature and knowing such things intrigues me but to someone else it might be weird idk but you're not alone

[@lucysky384]

My best friend in high school was a goth girl. Out of all the "normal" pretty, popular girls, she was the kindest person. She loved animals and always stuck up for people. This video was heartbreaking.

[@melissamoonchild9216]

As a former goth this doesn't surprise me at all. There are a lot of tenderhearted, misunderstood goth folks.

[@rdisherprojectdotcom]

I went to middle school in an upper class area with mostly “preps” who bullied me relentlessly for being the ugly poor kid whose clothes came from Wal-Mart. The nicest kids were always the goths. I could always join them when the teachers made us work in groups. They were the ones who would hangout and talk and joke with me like I was a human. That means a lot to a kid and I’ve never forgotten that.

[@minihobbitess]

As a teenage goth at the time. My mum forbid me from dressing in my usual style out of pure fear that the same would happen. It shook my friends and I to no end. We had had the usual bullying due to looks etc but only ever verbal and mild physical threats. However. We didn't want to hide who we were. We wanted to show ourselves and almost show our grief for Sophie but also our support for Rob. The Sophie charity set up by Sophie mum Sylvia has done amazing work. Sylvia sadly passed this year. She did some amazing work.

[@cptsteele91]

I was around at the time too, where I lived as the story broke in the news the amount of hell we attracted got so much worse, honestly I can understand why your mum took that approach. Worst part of it all for me and my friends personally was the amount of fighting that started as a result, we pretty much all felt like we had targets on our back an as the nobs that were getting bolder because of what happened to Sophie started escalating we all basically had to start fighting you could guarantee it'd be at least 2 or 3 times a week some of us would have ended up in a physical fight, never one on one either you'd always have 5 or 6 at least on you, I myself ended up puttin a couple in the hospital and I hated every moment of it, I don't like hurting people I'm very much the keep to myself type, at this point after all that and learning full well what I'm capable of when I'm pushed to it, I ended up becoming totally non confrontational, it takes a lot to get a rise out of me now because I just hate the violence. There was no need at all for what happened to Sophie and how it escalated where I live for everyone after, I hope the bastards that did it suffer every day for what they did, but the pessimist in me says they're probably fine with it.

[@XjaXemX]

I've never understood the hatred for people who dress different. A few weeks ago I was stood behind this lesbian couple, I think they were passing on their way to pride and they looked so cool, one of them had her head shaved and it was dyed like a rainbow. I heard some younger girls behind me make some comments about it and laugh and I think the couple heard them too so I thought 'I need to humble these little girls' and I told the couple how amazing they looked and how I was jealous I couldn't pull off short hair and I hoped they had the best time on their way to pride and they were so so nice and thanked me. I looked at those little girls with disappointment and they knew they messed up. It costs absolutely nothing in this world to be kind to another person but even if you can't be kind, keep your mouth shut.

[@AlexAlexon3897]

What you did was genius. Emphasize the positive to make the negative less relevant.

[@XjaXemX]

@@AlexAlexon3897 thank you. I feel they were young enough to take that as a lesson on being kind. I'm hoping they think twice before they make a comment on someone's appearance

[@AlexAlexon3897]

@@XjaXemX: Sorry, got mixed up. Have a friend with very similar name to yours.

[@XjaXemX]

@@AlexAlexon3897 soooo I’m not genius? Lol

[@AlexAlexon3897]

@@XjaXemX: Haha, you so are! I didn't notice your name at first, then thought - it's E-J! Which you are, but not the one I know. 😄 Your comment was spot-on. 🙂

[@ShotgunsAndSalt]

Sylvia Lancaster passed away this year sadly, at Bloodstock this year we all wore pink (her favourite colour) for one of the days in support for the charity. So if you look at the footage you can see a sea of metalheads wearing hot pink. RIP Sylvia, though. She did a lot of good after facing one of the worst kinds of tragedies a mother can.

[@Nyctophora]

Sylvia was an inspiration and she worked so hard to make something positive happen after that tragedy.

[@Charlotte-wx4jz]

Ohhhh how sad. I hadn’t heard this. You would of thought this would have been big/ national news, considering Sophie’s story and everything Sylvia has done since. Hope she is resting peacefully.

[@qqaz6421]

The video said she died years ago

[@Charlotte-wx4jz]

@@qqaz6421 Sophie died 2007, her mum Sylvia died May of this year. There are many news articles about it, I looked it up after I saw the comment. I was only a few years younger than Sophie when she was murdered and I’ve followed Sylvia on and off for years.

[@ShotgunsAndSalt]

@@qqaz6421 Sylvia, Sophie's mother, passed this year.

[@kinneydanm]

im goth and i get harrased literally everyday when i go outside, this is such a frightening reality we live in. all the love to sophie and Robert and their family. rest in peace, sophie

[@bcpdarkness8643]

I’m gay so I dress a a lot more feminine sometimes, wear makeup and sometimes dress emo with eyeliner. I always get weird looks and sometimes people even yell slurs at me. I usually stand up for myself and have a go at them but it is such a scary world to live in like this. People are horrible and disgusting, we deserve better treatment! :(

[@evegoodwin9776]

I just wanted to say thanks to Eleanor for covering this. This is a story from my hometown and Sophie was a few years above me at school. You’re the first big true crime KZbinr I’ve heard cover the case, and you have done it with such grace. It makes my blood boil that Herbert is now free and living his life.

[@avadae9126]

i’m punk and people bark at me 😭 imagine actually being MURDERED because you have colored hair and face piercings? so gross

[@RandomSwiftie13]

Nowadays face piercings and coloured hair are getting mainstream popular so I guess the weird hatered is slowly dying down.

[@naomimehari9592]

@@RandomSwiftie13 there's no way its main stream just a larger subculture and social media amplification.

[@lilliebrewer5421]

Bark back! 😅

[@Lunar_Spell]

My sister gets barked at! Wtf is that? I started in the goth subculture around 2008 so maybe it's a generational thing, but my friends and I never got barked at???

[@yoongiii265]

people are weird. they literally just CANNOT stand seeing people be themselves. oh you like anime? cringe. you like alt/gothic stuff? cringe. you're GAY? cringe. i think it's because they could never have the confidence to be open about their interests, because they're so insecure. most of these people just wanna look cool and fit into a certain group. mob mentality istg

[@Temps.-]

I'm also a goth myself, and I think it's so horrible that someone lost there life just because of how they choose to dress and express themselves, absolutely heart breaking :(

[@kerys6548]

same here. this case is so sad.

[@sianferrie5906]

It so sad. They were doing nothing wrong but these animals decided to do this because they didn't dress like them! You shouldn't be scared to be your self and wear what you want to when you go out!! They should never be let out of prison for what they did

[@kirbybie]

i always see goths and pastels supporting each other, wether irl or online. COMPLETE opposite styles and yet their mutual interest of alt fashion (almost) always overrides any hostility due to opposing styles. just wanted to add this because i feel like this is relevant but i can’t find the words to explain how.

[@acouvrat1414]

I am so heartbroken about this and reading some hate comments about her looks makes me so Mad. How can humans be so hateful

[@direwolfgaming4905]

I'm not really a Goth or Emo, I'm a metalhead that wears dark clothes and band shirts so most people say I'm a Goth or an Emo, I've had dog shit thrown at me out of car windows, screamed at in the street and nearly jumped just for being myself

[@EuanWhitehead]

Im a metalhead and luckily haven't faced this, but I'm in the British countryside and there's not much life out here. I've been laughed at many times, but weightlifting and generally being bigger helped with all this (which I understand other people might not see that as an option). It disgusts me that were all singled out for literally being interesting and alternative. It upsets me to hear you've been faced with this 🖤🖤

[@bridgettbenson6830]

Same here not goth or emo but metalhead/ punk and I've never been harassed but again in my youth I was always with a group and from the Midwest in the US the alternative culture was pretty big and so most I got was questioning like why would u do this or what's it like

[@ambercoore7238]

Sorry that happened I hope your better now

[@magellantv]

Honestly, it's so hard to wrap our minds around this case - it's so tragic and the violence is just incomprehensible.

[@caseymcnaughton9982]

This case breaks my heart, I wish there wasn’t such a derogatory towards people who don’t fit into society’s “norms”

[@AngelDelight69]

Yeah thankfully the world is becoming better. I recently started Crossdressing to college and I have had no problems

[@caseymcnaughton9982]

@@AngelDelight69 That’s so cool, I’m glad you can be yourself without any dickheads bothering you :)

[@stephaniewright1389]

I love the goth look, sooo GORGEOUS 😍

[@AngelDelight69]

@@caseymcnaughton9982 It has only been 4 days of doing this but so far I have had nothing but compliments. Friday I was walking home and these girls complimented me and even said it isn't everyday you see a boy in a skirt. That made me so happy to realise it isn't all bad What scares me though is I also live in lancashire

[@caseymcnaughton9982]

@@stephaniewright1389 It really is isn’t it? I get a lot of shit for being a teenager who dresses alt but I don’t care, I love it

[@tarahbruno3793]

This case broke my heart. People are disgusting. I can’t even imagine the suffering they went through

[@1994akt]

Ok😊moolmkp Mk

[@anonymous-so6dk]

as a goth person i have been harassed for being alternative and it breaks my heart to know this happened. this is so not okay for expressing themselves. if you’re alternative too it can be hard with all the judgments which is so unfair but never stop being you.

[@alex-bp2iq]

Yes. I'm a huge metalhead and I've never felt more acceptance than from other likeminded alt people. seeing people judge other people from a subculture like Sophie and Robert is so depressing to me, because it just shows you how shallow people are and never look past appearances. its even more depressing because the alternative people i have met were one of the most nicest and sweetest people. I'm usually desensitized to crime cases, but hearing this one was so shocking and disturbing because it hit so close to home. I hope she rests in peace

[@themaicky3209]

Then don't be anymore, saddly this is what happens when you're this kind of "different"

[@TextbookSadass]

​@@themaicky3209 Just bc you give in easily doesn't mean everyone else should man

[@themaicky3209]

@@TextbookSadass That's exactly what I said many years ago. That was wrong and I found it out in a bad way

[@TextbookSadass]

@@themaicky3209 I'm sorry for your experience but you shouldn't be telling people to suppress their identities bc you don't personally deem it safe, you don't know them or where they live and your 'advice' could lead to insecure people becoming worse in their self-loathing indirectly

[@nyxnecrodragon4256]

I remember this story. Sophie was the same age as me and I am a goth (less obvious at 36 given I don't do the make up anymore as it wrecks my pores). My mother and father where terrified of this happening to me.

[@ravengotica7493]

I feel bad for the poor girl, I’m way younger than both of you, but as a goth, I’m terrified of being attacked one day as well.

[@sadfacecommittee210]

I like how those boys were so judgmental of Sophie and Robert’s looks, yet they all look like they’ve had their hair cut by Helen Keller. Rest easy Sophie. I’m so sorry such hateful people felt the need to steal away your life. I hope you’re reunited with your mom!❤️

[@tiffanymuchmore869]

OMG, I just almost spit out my water when I read this comment. 🤣

[@protagiswatching]

Litetally and they all look like they got the same haircut too 💀💀

[@beachbabe75]

It's interesting how the "older boys" who didn't take part in the attack on Sophie yet watched it happen and did nothing to stop it, didn't get a charge for that? I guess that's only here in the US? Weird. 4-5yrs for the attack on Robert to me wasn't enough either. They should have taken into consideration the extent of his injuries and his coma along with how long he was in the hospital when giving out their sentences. It's not like it was a minor assault. Seems to me like they meant to.kill him with the way they beat him and jumped up and down on him. More like attempted murder imo. Completely ridiculous,their charges and sentences were a joke.

[@ShaunnieMoney]

Exactly! The poor guy was lucky to have survived.

[@louiseweeks2783]

I agree

[@beachbabe75]

@Vahn Williams the point was,.that still should be an extra charge, possibly resulting in more prison time. Imo they didn't get enough time at all. Both the charges they received and the prison time were a joke.

[@jessicaaitken8858]

So agree

[@junebugx1312]

100%. it was attempted murder and they just watched. they should also be charged for the trauma they caused robert on top of everything imo. they took his love away and that is unforgivable. those scumbags should spend their lives in prison for taking hers and trying to take his. i don’t care how old they are. the verdict is so infuriating.

[@kayleighegerton]

This case boils my blood, poor Sophie and Robert for loosing Sophie and being so brutally attacked, those boys were absolute creatures!

[@renezra4886]

as someone who is autistic and part of the goth subculture, this case gives me so many different emotions. the fact that the defence tried to go for diminished responsibility based on the lad having autism will never not boil my blood like autism doesn't make you more likely to commit a hate crime. and i relate so much ro sophie and rob being a goth from a small town getting weird looks and verbal and physical abuse from complete strangers based solely on appearances. it's terrifying bc you never know if it's gonna turn into harassment and then severe assault like in this case. like just last month i had a slice of pizza thrown at my head by a group of older teenagers in my local park while i was on my way to work just bc i was wearing all black and my hoodie was a slipknot hoodie and a few of them looked like they were gonna come and throw more at me it was ridiculous.

[@MonstehDinosawr]

It's not about being more likely to commit a crime however the number of prisoners with autism or ADHD isnt a joke. I'm autistic and ADHD (im also part of alternative emo crowd.) we are easily led by manipulative dangerous people who can encourage us to commit crime.

[@livhasproblems2513]

The fact that those 5 boys that LOOK THE SAME attacked someone that looked DIFFERENT is very telling to me. It's disgusting and infuriating how much audacity they possess, to play god and judge over innocent people's lives... I hope their prison mates that heard about them murdering this girl decided to play god as well. An eye for an eye, if you will

[@beeharvey-brown1988]

I was thinking the exact same thing, they're identical.

[@GaleForceKaif]

I thought the same thing. They all even have the same haircut!

[@Niekard]

RIGHT? Ugliest clones I've ever fucking seen.

[@jeonghanism]

they look exactly like what i imagined them to look like

[@louloucaaa]

They look like the type to be so so hateful

[@mehreen5338]

She was murdered for no reason. This is so upsetting to see because I still hesitate wearing brightly coloured dresses just because I have a fear of judgement. No one should feel this way.

[@ivyhidde7419]

Exactly people hate goths or people wearing dark clothing but also hate people who wear bright colours let people do what they want to do

[@B4466]

It's usually people unhappy and angry with their own lives who just need an excuse to spread that hate to others sometimes through violence.

[@unchartedtombraider944]

Omg honestly wear whatever you want if it makes you happy then go for it :)

[@calycalyps0]

The sentence of the other three boys pisses me off tbh. Three older boys They could have and SHOULD have 1. Not done it at all and 2. Stop their friends. Like wtf? In my eyes they were all equally complicit. And even though "only" she died honestly it still should have been 2 murder charges to me

[@mahasmith6695]

I didn't know wearing bright colors was a problem.

[@sushiferz]

while doing research on this case after i finished your video, i came across an interview of robert where he said “I have never seen it as a hate crime, It was always like: ‘Sophie Lancaster was killed because she was a goth.’ No she wasn’t: she was killed because some arseholes killed her. Why can’t we ask what it is about them that made them want to murder someone? Not what it is about someone that made them be murdered.” thought that was interesting and wanted to share

[@SvalbardSleeperDistrict]

I also found that interesting, and while I totally agree with his comment on the social and economic conditions breeding nihilism and hopelessness, I think it's clear he is wrong in his comments on the reason for the attack. After beating them, that gang of animals went and bragged with their friends about it by using derogatory terms for goths.

[@TheVirtualFashionista]

Wow. I watch so many true crime videos and I rarely cry, but this one? For some reason, this one hit me really hard. I sobbed when they turned off Sophie's life support. I'm still crying now. What a horrible, senseless crime. She sounded like such a sweet girl. And I agree, her look was fantastic!

[@Littleggroll]

I was looking for this comment. This one is gonna stick with me for a while.

[@TheVirtualFashionista]

@@Littleggroll Long-distance sympathy hug from internet stranger who understands. 😭

[@SFL934]

Rest in peace to Sophie, and her mum Sylvia, who also passed away earlier this year. We wore pink for Sylvia at Bloodstock festival this year as it was her favourite colour. Beautiful to see thousands of alternative folk still celebrating the Lancasters so many years later. Sophie truly did cause a stir in our community, I wish she could see how much of an impact her life had on a lot of people 🖤

[@Milkabis]

Bloodstock do amazing things for the S.O.P.H.I.E foundation. I love Bloodstock and it was nice to see a sea of pink in memory of Sylvia 💗

[@gallowshumour7077]

I have donated and supported S.O.P.H.I.E for years and Bloodstock 2022 was my first ever metal festival and concert experience in general as a goth and one that listens to metal I enjoyed my time and even broke my nose bin jousting, it was amazing and fun while it lasted and the fact Sophie has a stage named after her is really sweet and seeing people wear the merch and pink was a nice sight to see

[@Milkabis]

@@gallowshumour7077 that's cool 🤘 my first Bloodstock was 2021 and I went this year too. Wasn't the heat crazy though? I love that they're supporting the SOPHIE foundation

[@gallowshumour7077]

@@Milkabis yes the heat was scorching and I slept in my tent as I was tired and I woke up to all my friends sitting down outside sweating my ass off 😂

[@Milkabis]

@@gallowshumour7077 yes me too, I woke up dripping one morning so went for a shower and came back to camp got the water carrier and filled it up only to stand at the tap with my head and neck under it. Most people seemed to be ok in the heat though and welfare/security were amazing checking on everyone. Roll on 2023 😁

[@wenisdead6829]

Talking on Robert Maltby, her boyfriend and fellow victim - he doesn't consider this a hate crime because he feels it minimizes what happened to Sophie. In his words: "she wasn't murdered because she was goth - she was murdered by a bunch of arseholes". He's since built up an extensive art portfolio on his instagram and he's unfortunately no longer into the goth subculture. He has a new partner from the US.

[@courtr1588]

I'm not even trying to be funny but that's such a strange logic for not considering it a hate crime. The whole concept of recognizing something as a hate crime is to, in part, maximize the importance of what happened. It's to literally recognize that people are choosing to do terrible things because of the hatred they carry.

[@wenisdead6829]

@@courtr1588 I think he just disliked it being described as a "hate crime" in that news headlines sensationalized it and then promptly dropped it. Instead of maximizing attention to it as an actual hate crime, it just followed him for the rest of his life in that he was the boyfriend to the "dead goth girl". He was never the boyfriend to Sophie - she was now just a statistic.

[@courtr1588]

@@wenisdead6829 Gotcha. Yeah, that can be a very dehumanizing experience. It's unfortunate that that's the way the media treated the case. He's a human being and shouldn't have been made (in a way) invisible just to be used for what the media considered a profit.

[@lv6570]

He actually has a partner based in the UK. He and Kayah broke up years ago.

[@tahirax1382]

What’s his Instagram?

[@zara4603]

Sophie went to my school, her mum often came into school to talk about her and keep her memory alive, such a heartbreaking case

[@amypridmore1839]

This story really speaks to me, when I was 19 I was physically attacked by a 50 year old man and a group of boys for being a “goth” this was inside a McDonald’s where there were loads of witnesses and CCTV. I had cuts all over my face and bruises on my body but hate to think what would’ve happened if there was nobody around to help me. 😞

[@memeulousisclapped5562]

I am so sorry. I would say I hope that you haven’t had to go through anything similar since but it is unlikely considering the world is so fucking stupid. But I hope you are alright

[@RaidenNicole]

I’m so sorry that happened to you ❤

[@avajones9322]

Ryan Herbert has been released after just 15 years. Weeks after the decision from the Parole Board, Sophie’s mother, Sylvia Lancaster, passed away. Why is he out? This was a savage hate crime, unbelievable.

[@rebeccavaughn6427]

Why let him out when he will do the same thing he did to Sophie to someone else. Ryan Herbert should have also gotten life in prison too without parole. He knew better yet he laughed. He's a sociopath who had no empathy.

[@faerieliana]

He took away her life and so brutally, he 100% deserves to rot in prison. Like literally, he killed a person, took her life and he is out? Why? To commit more crimes?

[@bubbybubbybubbyy]

I distinctly remember my GCSE ethics class covering this case, and everyone in my class was laughing at their death, saying they deserved it for the way they looked. This was back in 2016 when edgy humour seemed to be the in thing, but it still made me feel so upset for them. Knowing that people just don’t have their back even after the atrocities they faced is heartbreaking.

[@anteaters-R-us]

Wtf? Why would anyone laugh at someone's murder?

[@anastasia3625]

why would people laugh?? i would’ve called them out that’s so messed up

[@ladylark10884]

the hell? id jump them, see how they like it

[@wendymagnuson6069]

That class you were attending is full of sick and twisted idiots. Brutal murder is never funny, nor is what else they did to those poor kids. I wish people could just LEAVE OTHERS ALONE!! We don’t owe anyone an explanation of how we dress, or our hair color. Not one single thing is anyone else’s concern. This case makes me sick to my stomach and hurts my heart.

[@shlee-shlee]

The south park generation imo (and I belong to it). "It's just a joke/fun/etc to dehumanise people".

[@soophhhh_]

and again the ridiculous justice system in the uk... young girl beaten to death and a boy left with serious brain damage... and then 15 years?! 4 years?!! 5 years?! for a HATE CRIME?! in my country you get more for selling weed to some friends.. its sad and this is when i think that i dont want to live on this planet 🤦‍♀

[@sahraxxx5927]

where they are going believe me they will pay

[@MissMimiRainbow]

This one hit so close to home for me… I began my alternative style as an emo kid back in 2006. Watching things like this go down in UK, Ireland and US was horrifying! I didn’t get physically assaulted but getting aggressive and hateful comments shouted at us in the school hallways was part of the daily life. We got threatened time by time either by anonymous phone calls or notes stuck to our lockers. I even had razor blades tossed at me at one point… I also remember that the date 06/06/6 was announced as “International emo-beatdown day” I’m still alternative to this day and I’ve always stood up to my right to express myself through my appearance. It’s been super scary sometimes, and my heart really goes out to these families 😥🖤 So to all my goths, emos, rockers, baby bats, punks and everyone in between; Please take care of yourselves and each other! You rock! 🤘🏻🎼🥀🦇🎃

[@Malleable_Balls]

When I was younger I was awfully bullied, chased by groups of people, attacked, pushed Infront of cars etc. All for dressing like a 'goth' and having dark hair. Recently where I live a few people were attacked for being goths. It instantly made me think of this case. People SHOULD NOT be hurt, attacked, bullied, harassed or KILLED for looking a certain way. This case constantly sticks in the back of my mind. It's heartbreaking 💔💔💔

[@mdx7460]

It’s still happening today. I was in the park with my two little girls, a group of young teenagers were there acting feral, so I didn’t stay for long. As I was walking away, I noticed them shouting toward a young girl, who I at first thought was with them. But I noticed she was shouting ‘f*ck off’ as they (boys and girls) were all shouting abuse toward her. She was dressed ‘different’, and when I recognised that, that is when I realised the hate was aimed at that. By the time I realised they were bullying her, she had already walked away. But I stopped and stood just glaring at the horrible rats. I was DYING to say something, but as I had my 2 young children, I felt I couldn’t, and hoped that my disgusted look was enough to make them feel embarrassed. I was SO angry! And it made for a great lesson to teach my 5 and 7 year old about how to NEVER be mean just because somebody looks different. It’s something I always say anyway, but they witnessed it first hand, and they actually got upset for the poor girl. So I hope that stays with them.

[@merluvleepeach]

I'm so sorry to hear that.. I'm happy you are okay, you are so strong 💝💖 things will be better someday

[@AintSkeerdNWO]

Me too. And I am old now. I still have a lot of rage about it.

[@haileyranson8255]

I don’t know why I’m surprised that this is still going on. I truly hope it is just a minority of people who still feel the need to attack someone who is different but even then it is disgraceful. I hope you know you should be proud to be who you are 💜

[@gustavedore1073]

It is so horrible to hear that this is still going on. Sometimes it feels like nothing changes 😔 We need to try to stand tall and talk against this kind of violence and hope that someday people learn 🖤

[@mollyemms5222]

This case and Sophie’s name is so important to the alternative community!! Thank you for making this video so well! X

[@strangeodd1552]

Girl she just posed it….

[@kaidd9149]

@@strangeodd1552 couldve read it alr

[@mollyemms5222]

@@strangeodd1552 the case is massive and is fundraiser for at most alt festivals. Everyone alternative knows this case and the fact that she’s bringing awareness to a mainstream audience is so important… girl

[@juicyballs6351]

@@strangeodd1552 what

[@strangeodd1552]

@@kaidd9149 ‘thank you for making this video well’ it could’ve been awful????

[@Charlockle]

I know a huge part of this case is 'don't judge people based on their appearance', but oh man those 'boys' look exactly how I expected them to look. They look like one of many groups of lads that'd shout slurs at me in school just for wearing slightly gothic/queer clothing. The sorts of teenagers I still keep a huge distance from to this day, despite now being 26.

[@MonstehDinosawr]

Same and I'm 25. But I learned about this case at school too, it was very trauamtising to learn about when you're sat there in a classroom with lads who look like that, and youre an alternative student .

[@beeboofrisky3425]

Yes, the exact same thought I had!

[@nohandlesforme101]

Those monsters look inbred and should be put in a vegetable state to suffer. That or have them be paralyzed with pain.

[@alastoridk]

Honestly yeah these types of people are the ones I stay far away from

[@HelloGoodbye2085]

Even as a little goth girl when I was 12 I knew Sophie’s face. At the Whitby goth festival I remember seeing charity collection boxes with her face on, I always put change in them as I thought she might have been terminally ill or something I never imagined she had been dead for years. I’m a massive hippie now as the goth subculture was really a community that helped when I was really ill and now I’m better I feel more aligned with flower children. I will never forget that picture of Sophie though and the horror she endured ❤️

[@maia.....]

The fact that she was so happy. This case broke me honestly. I don't really comment that much but i just wanted to express my feelings about this. She must of been such a lovely woman, may she rest in peace. The world could be such a bad place..

[@smfreij]

That adds another dimension of horror and just….waste of the whole situation. They were so in love and young and full of life. It floors me that people see others minding their own damn business and decide to assault them to death for no reason. Where is this energy for convicted child predators?

[@rubylynx4394]

As someone who is autistic, I hate when these kinds of monsters try to blame their actions on autism (whether they actually have it or not). Autism isn't a scapegoat.

[@neptunes6rings]

me too, it makes me feel sick when i see people excuse themselves with autism.

[@acaseofunderjoyed]

Right? We're autistic, but they are psychopaths. 2 very different things.

[@albedosimp6166]

hi there, i have a younger brother (age 7-8) who has autism and im just wondering if im in the wrong, my little brother tends to just take things whenever he wants, i always keep telling him the same things over and over on things that are right and wrong and somehow he doesnt listen at all and just continues to do things whenever and whatever he wants. I live with my grandma along with my brother, she would tell me that no matter what i would do to tell him that he is abnormal and that i should always be the one adjusting for him. Im so lost as her older sister, and I just need advice from people who are in the community and im trying my best to learn as well. I just want the best for my brother and i dont want him to end up in a wrong path when he grows up

[@rubylynx4394]

@@albedosimp6166 Hi, it's awesome that you want advice from other autistic folk! At his age, it's likely a lack of impulse control. We can find it very hard to resist certain thoughts (I still struggle with this at age 24, lol). Some tips in relation to taking things: 1. Remove them from reach entirely (if possible) or lock them away. He may have meltdowns if he can't get to said items. Meltdowns happen because we feel overwhelmed and can't really understand/handle our emotions. Letting him have meltdowns and then talking to him once calm is a better approach than ignoring him entirely if he has them. 2. If you can't remove items, do the whole "actions have consequences" thing where you explain beforehand that if he takes XYZ, he'll be punished. This suggestion does get a bit tricky though as disruptions to an autistic persons routine/taking their stuff away can be very distressing. Maybe find a consequence that doesn't impact his normal routine and his belongings if possible. 3. Ask him why he needs/wants the stuff he's taking. Give him his own if you can, or ask him to come to you first if he needs/wants something. Maybe give him a small reward (favourite candy piece maybe?) if he comes to you first (I know this sounds like dog training, with rewards, lol) 4. Continue trying to explain calmly that he can't just take stuff. Explain how it hurts you/your grandma when he does this. Especially at his age, he'll be struggling to understand other people's feelings and their perspective. It's something we can struggle a lot with as kids. Explaining how it affects you/your grandma can help him understand the situation better. Maybe ask him how he'd feel if you took his stuff without asking. Likely, he'll hate it and it would upset him. And the same applies to you; it hurts you when he takes stuff. I know it can be tough being a parental figure/sibling to an autistic kid. It's even worse being said autisic kid however. This world isn't designed for us, parenting techniques aren't designed for us, the school system, social world and just ... Everything. We go through life without accommodations that can help our sensory issues, social situations. Reading and understanding facial expressions and body language can be very hard to grasp too. There's a lot that he'll likely struggle with growing up. I know I struggled growing up undiagnosed and being abused because I wasn't a "normal" child. There's unfortunately a lot more than a lack of impulse control/right from wrong that you'll have to deal with and help him navigate. For other common autisic struggles: Teaching him how to understand emotions - his own and other people's, how to handle those emotions, how words/emotions impact others, etc. If he struggles with loud sounds, noise cancellation headphones can help. Food struggles - letting him eat his "safe" foods and trying to include healthy smoothies/drinks to replace missing fruit/veg or vitamins, etc. There's plenty more issues we can go through and I know it can seem overwhelming, but the fact that you reached out for advice is an amazing step in on itself. I wish you guys the best of luck ❤️

[@albedosimp6166]

@@rubylynx4394 Thank you so much! I just want to understand autism more and since we really can't afford professional help all the time. Thank you so much for the advice, it really means a lot and i just feel like it would be better to ask advice from someone who is a part of the community as well, so thank you again so much for your response!

[@yzkkoch479]

This is probably one of the only crimes that I’ve watched on your channel that have actually made me cry and turn my stomach upside down because of how horrible those people were to the poor couple. I cant imagine how the boyfriend, friends and parents felt. No one should go through this

[@JuliaElizabethGraves]

As an alternative person their age, after hearing about this case I feel like I need to spread awareness and more importantly, keep being myself and never holding up on the way I dress and do my makeup, to commemorate what Sophie’s mom did for our community and what they went through. It’s really heartbreaking

[@bazdog4464]

I feel so bad for Robert, he must have suffered a lot of survivors guilt. There's a short film about the case On the BBC iplayer I would definitely recommend

[@amira.s1]

what is it called?

[@youaintgettingmyhandle]

@@amira.s1 “Murdered for Being Different”

[@traceyaydon814]

I follow Robert and his art on Facebook. He never speaks of the case and Sophie but he has suffered depression it is very obvious in some of his posts a couple years back. He has now met a lovely lady and seems to be in a much better place mentally. Your heart does break for him though

[@hollie5099]

@@traceyaydon814 does he still have a goth/alternative style?

[@traceyaydon814]

@@hollie5099 Alternative yes and his art can be pretty out there. So happy he has a lovely lady in his life now. He dated one lady that pretty much used him to build her KZbin channel.

[@PandoraFoxxBurlesque]

There is also a beautiful song by the metal band Delain called We Are the Others dedicated to Sophie - in fact the opening lines "I'm walking with Sophie tonight, she lives in the air that I breathe" never fail to prick my eyes with tears, but it's a lovely song about loving your fellow weirdos 🖤

[@juliacooper9145]

I have just watched the video. this song is just beautiful and a great advocacy for tolerance as we are all different. I loved the story of this on BBC radio play. It broke my heart. I am a mum and this could happen to anyones children. Teach your kids that you shouldn't lash out for any reason. Show love and tolerance. Love and tolerance always

[@mammadingo9165]

Thankyou for sharing that 😢✌🏻🕯️😭.

[@mamasadie5219]

They looked like such a cool, lovely and beautiful couple. its is a miracle rob survived but a unspeakable tragic loss that sophie passed. She sounded like a wonderful person with so much to offer the world, such bravery and courage in those final moments, may she rest in peace ❤

[@owldolly7142]

This case has always stuck with me as it happened when I was a young goth teen. I was beaten up and dealt with verbal abuse daily due to the way I dressed. Sadly, I had to leave school without my GCSEs due to severe depression as my bullying was so severe but every time I hear this case I feel fortunate that I kept my life. Rip Sophie.

[@maria04050]

Hope you're doing better ❤️

[@owldolly7142]

@@maria04050 very much so, thank you

[@maria04050]

@@owldolly7142 anytime

[@JinkxItUp]

You're not alone in that. I dropped out of school due to the bullying for being alternative too. I hope you found a hell of a lot of love and success since 💜

[@MonstehDinosawr]

I wish I had been allowed to drop out. I never got to make it to university because of the trauma caused by being in education.

[@pentaghastenjoyer]

As a goth myself, this case will never not break my heart. Nobody should be harmed, or even thought of differently, just for being who they are - for being HAPPY. I spent so many years being ashamed of who I am, fearful even, because of cases like these. Poor angels, they never deserved this. Nobody does.

[@greensteph]

Thank you for researching this case, you always sound so supportive of the victims and so open minded and warm. As an old goth I remember just how much unreasonable hatred there is. I was a goth from the 80s. I grew up in small town Germany and we were constantly harrassed, mostly nasty comments by even older guys and neo nazis. We had quite a few situations were we had to try and escape those nazi plonks. It was truly terrifying at times. Things got so much better when I and some friends moved to london. We had almost no shite directed at us, it was so amazing. So when I learned about this case back then it just made me so sad and really triggered me. R.I.P. Sophie

[@neveshelton1083]

Sophie's brother came into my school and spoke personally about the attack and what happened, which I still think is crazy, so glad you covered this

[@hellformichelle]

This is so heartbreaking. I'm not a goth but I'm also part of the alt scene. Goths tend to be some of the nicest, sweetest people ever.

[@dannyfriar5653]

I remember this case well. I was a 'goth' at the time (although 'mosher' would be closer to what I was) and this case had a massive effect on our community. Me and my friends were the same age as Sophie. Many of us kept the newspaper cuttings about the case for a long time. We light candles in remembrance outside the corn exchange in Leeds.

[@dannyfriar5653]

There was a lot of violent attacks on alternative teens and young adults at the time. I remember one guy I knew had his ear cut off. Others were badly beaten up.

[@themarshrox21]

I'm not goth but I love rock and alternative styles and music. I go to concerts and the community is the most supportive and nicest people!!! I made friends the first time I went to a concert

[@plushyblushykitten2740]

I go to the corn exchange all the time and honestly as a goth the amount of alternative people in the area makes me feel so included. This case is just heartbreaking

[@jordansamantha1474]

Hearing the description of Sophie's injuries made me feel physically ill to a degree that I almost never do when watching true crime. It's just so beyond anything that I can wrap my head around. I really do not understand what is wrong with some people, how can you do something like this? How can anyone do anything so violent? I really hope that Robert is doing well now.

[@theperturbedgiraffe9204]

I left secondary in 2019 and it was still as horrific. I was bullied badly for being 'emo' and was often physically attacked. At one point It got so bad I had to call the police because they badly assaulted me and the police didn't care and said it was an issue with the school. This honestly needs to be taken more seriously in the UK

[@haydenfitzpatrick562]

Rest in peace, it’s so sad that people feel the need to hurt others for looking different. I’ve been lucky enough to never be seriously hurt but me and my mates still get attacked frequently because other people think it’s funny that we dress differently to them so this case really hits home for me. What Sophie’s mam did with her legacy was so inspiring, she really fought to keep her daughters memory alive right to the end.

[@rachellefitzpatrick4765]

Hey we have the same last name.

[@aria5572]

there’s a video from 2009 called “boyfriend’s grief” and it’s rob talking about the situation and another, more recent, one called “rob maltby talks about life after the attack.” and he has talked about how he hates people saying he has a brain injury and calling sophie’s murder a goth murder because he believes we should ask why someone would kill over traits of another person instead of blaming the reason someone was killed on their traits ALSO ryan herbert was caught flirting with girls on facebook from his prison cell which amazes and disgusts me

[@AbianahAlmeida]

If he gets out he will kill again

[@vanlifewithdonna7907]

I’m so glad you covered this case Eleanor. It happened literally down the road from me and at the time I was also a part of the alternative community. I remember my mum banning me from dressing this way because she was terrified it would happen to me. Sophie was a lovely girl, she absolutely adored Harry Potter and everything that was weird and wonderful. You’ve done such a good job at telling this story. Lots of love and positive vibes 💜

[@taylorslotkin3952]

I wouldn’t exactly consider myself a a goth, but her style and my style are kind of similar (dyed hair, piercings, etc.)… so heartbreaking that she was just killed for her self-expression :(

[@AJ-mc6ro]

How could you LAUGH at such a brutal attack?! Even if you were completely innocent anyone with an ounce of compassion would be at the very least respectful. This is disgusting

[@kehlanijauregui1017]

I’ll never understand why people can’t be who they are without being ridiculed

[@thatbeaatcch9884]

Well, the thing is where do we draw the line. Like I agree with you 100% about understanding people without being ridiculed… but would you say the same for people that do immoral things? Not saying this is in any way similar but I feel like there should be limitations on acceptance.. like pedophilia, beastiality, and so forth

[@kehlanijauregui1017]

@@thatbeaatcch9884 ofc I agree

[@essisarah5181]

@@thatbeaatcch9884 did you just compare pedophiles to alternative people 💀

[@Saturnm0ss]

@@thatbeaatcch9884 ok? But we weren't talking about that. Why do people need to bring in the “WhAt If ThEy LiKe liTtLe KiDs?” like? That's just so stupid and unbelievable 💀

[@satapon4129]

@@thatbeaatcch9884 You're adding in something that has *nothing* to do with what the original comment said. No one walks around dressed like a p3do/beastiality freak, because there isn't a "look", it's all to do with the person's actions. Just because someone dresses goth, that doesn't mean that you can tell anything about the person based on that alone

[@greenghoul157]

I hate that we live in a world where people just aren't allowed to be happy and look different, the full force of the law should have been enforced how is it so difficult in the UK to convict murderers

[@Sarah-km4uq]

I live in the same place as Sophie and as a community we always remember her on her anniversary. RIP beautiful girl 💫

[@o.siouxsie]

This hits where it hurts badly. I was attacked in a similiar fashion for wearing gothic clothes when I was 16, 11 years ago. 5 guys jumped on me in a dark valley, punched me, tore my dress. All of them spoke russian, they stank of alcohol and cigarettes. They were talking about where they should hide me, I assumed they wanted to kidnap and rape me, I don't even know. I was lucky there were two older men walking their dogs that they released and the dogs attacked those guys. Long story short, police didn't care, nothing was done. And that was not the first or last attack because of my subculture. Because of that I started wearing "normal" clothes, keeping my music, art and gatherings super private. The harassment, stalking, cyberbullying at school, in the streets, on social media was constant. Even black nail polish was too much for some kids, nevermind platform shoes or corsets or long black coats. Ironically, now these things are trendy and worn by the same people that used to bully me for it. And I feel sorry for them. Because I preserved my passions and bonded with other like-minded people over photography, music, festivals, hell, even dying friend's hair in our bathrooms at 3am while singing Romeo's Distress... I digress. But they, the ones who spat, who kicked, who bullied, will always have to live with their empty, boring, shallow selves. Sorry for venting. Robert and Sophie look like the kids I hung out with. Just normal, sensitive, creative young people. Fuck the satanic panic that media created during 90's. We're not that far from medieval times and we should look at their faces and admit we have to do better.

[@amandarae2755]

I am so sorry this happened to you. It’s such bullshit because SO MANY teens now (especially on tik tok) dress alternative. it’s now “trendy”. The tiktok alt kids just discovered the song Bulls in the Bronx

[@shelbymasters]

@@amandarae2755 On one hand I understand this because I'd say 75% of them don't actually care about the subculture and still hate on people that are "too" goth/emo. But on the other hand I don't think they should be shamed too harshly, we all got into the subculture at some age and almost all by a form of social media and even when I was younger older alternative people hated on me (2011) for being a "youtube kid" since that's where I found a majority of the music. Everyone has to get into somehow, took me a while to realize it but feeling bitter towards younger alt people who are getting into the scene makes me no better than the people who hated on me.

[@shelbycaldwell1265]

My mom told me black nail polish was “satanic” and would always make me take it off…I never understood. I’m so sorry this happened to you :(

[@sswpnnnnnn]

@@amandarae2755 I don't think they started dressing alternative as trend, I think the alt/goths started a trend together 😊

[@alterego866]

This case breaks my heart as someone in the alt community, no one should die over how they express themselves, to everyone in the alt community, i love you

[@Sesime]

In 9th grade on my first day in home room class I had a seat assigned next to a goth girl, her and I have been best friends since then for 12 years now. She's the sweetest person you'd ever meet.

[@Sethronskillz]

This story really was sad to hear, as someone who had a group of goth friends that regularly got assaulted for the way they looked, so much so that we literally had to change where we hung out every time the chavs found our hang out spot Just from looking at the photos provided you can tell that these are exactly the chav types that in the 2000s would actively search for and attack goths, this is often called the chavs vs goth wars but it was basically just chavs that assault goths for the way they looked Also I’d like to point out that I don’t aim to tar all chavs with the same brush as there actually was some chavs that’d converse with us and genuinely seemed more curious than hateful and would even sometimes mingle their group with ours for a night and have a good time But in those years of the 2000s (2005 to 2010) their was definitely that bad batch of chavs that made the bad reputation they have today by being aggressive and “hunting” those groups they didn’t like Finally just to clarify, I wasn’t so much goth myself, I just like the same sort of music and so made these friends, but I didn’t identify as a goth or dress as a goth and so on, so the only time I would witness this behaviour was with this group of friends and I personally was never the target of this behaviour, but to just see what might of happened to those friends if we’d been unlucky enough to stumble on the wrong group of chavs is truly horrible!

[@Lindinshh]

Just because the guy survived - by miracle, attackers got 5 years?? They should all get the same amount! They were all part of this attack, and they were sure they killed them. Can we please stop reducing sentences for attempted murders? This is insane

[@BunniBeshara]

This is so heartbreaking. It makes me think of my little sister - I couldn’t imagine someone wanting to hurt her because she presents differently than “the norm.” (What is “the norm” even? Who decides that??)

[@dawnzaffuto2970]

Have been part of punk rock at the end of the 70's into the 80's and even now, this case ripped my heart out, I cried so hard. People's hate toward people being themselves is still so active. I wish we all could just get over what our hair and clothes look like. I wish ever person who chooses to be themselves the very happiest life ever. Love from across the pond.

[@shinobukochou7824]

eleanor, i highkey appreciate how you tell the story and really humanize the victims. it is honestly beautiful and i'm glad that their story is being told. it really paints a picture of what they were like, and i feel like that's often missing from true crime channels

[@Avie-A]

As a goth that suffers from harassment in a small town, this is my nightmare, this is why I avoid especially teenagers when I’m doing my shopping, why are people targeted like this? I don’t understand the mentality behind these cruel people that put others down for expressing themselves. This case was close to home for me ❤️

[@ladylark10884]

as someone who also dresses alt (menhera/yamikawaii, gothic lolita, kogal gyaru, ryousangata, jirai kei, ect) this case hits really close to home. ive genuinely gotten death threats for dressing in gothic lolita, and i never understood why. it's just a japanese sub-fashion. literally just pretty dresses and frilly skirts?? poor sophie and rob, they absolutely didn't deserve what happened to them

[@bloodhound..]

wtf?? those people are such degenerates. its literally just a different fashion style lol. im sorry that happened to you, i’m more into the goth subculture but gyaru and menhera fashion is honestly really cool to me so that’s very upsetting. nobody should be ridiculed or literally hatecrimed just for the way they look or dress

[@V0Y463R]

not to be that person but menhera and jirai kei aren’t fashion styles. i think u meant yamikawaii. in japan menhera and jirai kei are almost slurs for mentally ill n toxic ppl, it’s like the r-word in western countries.

[@ladylark10884]

@@V0Y463R yo! although they're used as derogatory terms, jirai kei and menhera are indeed fashion styles ^^ menhera (menhera is short for "mental health") and yamikawaii are very similar words. those who dress in yamikawaii usually call themselves " menhera's" (therefore why i refer to yamikawaii as menhera fashion). if it's confusing for others though, ill change it to yamikawaii :>> on the other-hand, jirai kei (landmine-girl) is most definitely a sub-fashion. in fact, it's the sister fashion of ryousangata since they're both super similar. the words jirai kei and menhera *are* still used as derogatory terms, they've been pretty much reclaimed at this point. sorry if my explanation is bad, english isn't my first language-

[@stargirlabi_111]

i dont really dress extremely different from people, but i do enjoy emo music and alot of goth music too. I either like to dress in a "normal way" with lots of pink and stuff. Today i decided to wear my new demonias to school with some spiderweb tights and a sweater. imo it wasnt even that extreme. But people stopped holding open doors for me, teachers stopped assuming i could perform in class the same.

[@ladylark10884]

@@stargirlabi_111 weirdos 💀"she's wearing platform shoes? welp, looks like she won't get good grades anymore ¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

[@josssmith495]

Thank you for covering this case - I was a goth wayyyy back in the 80’s and my kids have all been alternative - it’s such an important case - kudos to Bloodstock Festival for having the Sophie Lancaster stage keeping her memory alive and money coming into her charity xx

[@johnlennonfanable]

Eleanor, I have been watching your videos for years and have always appreciated how you cover these cases with kindness and thoughtfulness. A 16 year old girl, named Nika Shakarami, was brutally murdered and so many unthinkable things were done to her. Please cover what happened to her and many other Iranian women. Your platform and voice matters, and right now, Nika deserves her story to be told.

[@GiveEmEL]

pretty much every "elder emo" and older alt/goth person I know, including myself, were completely rocked by sophie's case. The alt scene has never been the same since, absolutely devastating what happened to her. Even years on, we learnt to be careful presenting more "Goth" or Alt, we learnt to care so deeply for our inner circles and look out for other alt kids. It taught us caution, it taught us patience and it taught us second hand outrage and empathy for those who experience the hate and those who lost to it. my heart still aches for sophie's family and friends, she seemed like such a sweet soul and the scene will never be the same without her.

[@cheeriototoro8063]

Omg Eleanor I was waiting for this one. As a member of the goth community this hits so hard for all of us. Thankyou for bringing awareness to Sophie’s name and case

[@zombieee666]

This happened when I was a teen and as a part of the alt scene I was absolutely devastated for her family and so were my very accepting family. It was really scary as we in a nearby town at the time. Her Mum was an amazing woman too with how she brought attention to this injustice and did so much work to make things better for Alt kids.

[@pantherinae_art]

Thank you so much for covering this case. I'm a goth and only a few years older than Sophie.. I remember this vividly. The entire goth and alternative community will never, ever forget this. We all felt it to our core. We lost one of our own, and we all knew it could have been any of us. Back then, we'd always get shit shouted at us, stuff thrown. verbal abuse. It was awful. I'm pleased to say we get a lot less abuse shouted at us now.. thank goodness. I, and many of my friends continued to support S.O.P.H.I.E over the years, and her mum did great stuff to help our community right up until her passing this year. Sometimes I wonder about Robert Maltby. I hope he has been able to seperate himself from being the victim who's girlfriend was murdered, and is able to be the artist he should be. I've seen his art online, and it's incredible. Yeah.. I just wanted to thank you Eleanor, you covered this sensitively, and didn't use some of the graphic footage, or the phonecall, but still got all the important stuff across. The UK Goth and alternative scene will never forget what happened. Sophie shouldn't have died. Those children that beat them up were just feral, and showed no remorse. Its so sick. I hope everyone directly affected found peace in the wake of such a huge tragedy. x

[@pepsicola6232]

As a goth myself I've never gotten over this. The hate we've faced for years. Disgusting. May she rest in peace forever. 🙏

[@pumpie77]

I waited a bit to watch this one because I had recently watched this story on another channel. HOWEVER, the back story on Sophie, and the love story with Robert, oh, my heart ❤️. Nobody does it like you, Eleanor, thank you for doing such justice to a story done a few times before. You are a master of your craft.

[@anntares172]

The girl and friends with her are heros for stepping in how they did. As an alternative kid in the 90's/00's, my friends and myself were physically, verbally, emotionally assaulted. By peers, parents, teachers, police. The sad part is we, like Sophie, were just kids wanting to find a community and express ourselves when we felt like outsiders. This case is incredibly heartbreaking, more so because I can emphasize deeply with them.

[@redbane2840]

This happened like 3 minutes away from my house, my mum remembers it well. So devastating xx

[@omgits_paxton]

I was born a couple of days after this murder happened, so i never met Sophie, but i lived very close to where this happened. As a goth, this case now tears me apart. Sometimes i get scared of going outside and being who i am because of people like this, but i remember that Sophie wouldn't care. She just did, and that is a massive inspiration to me.

[@AintSkeerdNWO]

Be safe!