djdeath (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} djdeath) wrote,@ 2007-08-26 01:05:00 |
|
Very Sad News
Sky News
Woman Dies After Park Attack
Updated: 15:58, Friday August 24, 2007
A 20-year-old woman attacked by a gang in a Lancashire park has died.
Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend were set upon while walking
through Stubbylee Park in Bacup on August 11.
Sophie LancasterThey were both beaten up in a vicious assault.
Miss Lancaster was left in a coma with serious head and facial
injuries and died this morning.
Her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, was also left in a coma with
bleeding on the brain but has recovered.
He had been briefly let out of hospital on Wednesday to visit Miss
Lancaster.
The pair, both from Bacup, have been described as "Goths" who
usually dress in black and wear heavy face make-up.
It is understood the couple had been targeted in the past because of
the way they dressed and looked.
Five male youths have been already been charged with causing
grievous bodily harm with intent.
BBC News
Woman dies following gang attack
Sophie was attacked while in the park with her boyfriend
A 20-year-old woman who was attacked by a gang of youths in a park
in Lancashire, has died in hospital.
Sophie Lancaster and her 21-year-old boyfriend Robert Maltby were
found with serious head injuries in Stubbylee park in Bacup,
Rossendale, on 11 August.
Mr Maltby was left in a coma with bleeding on his brain but has
since made a recovery.
Lancashire police have charged five teenage boys, aged between 15
and 17, with section 18 wounding.
These charges are now subject of a review in liaison with the Crown
Prosecution Service, police said.
'Senseless loss'
Police have now renewed their appeal for witnesses and are looking
for any information that could help with their enquiries.
Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said the attack was "a tragic
incident which has resulted in the senseless loss of a young and
vibrant woman".
The couple were taken to Rochdale Infirmary after the attack, before
Miss Lancaster was transferred to Fairfield Hospital, Bury, and then
Hope Hospital's neurology unit in Salford.
Mr Maltby was briefly let out of hospital on Wednesday to visit Miss
Lancaster.
A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old have been remanded in custody, while
two 15-year-olds and 17-year-old were released on bail.
They are all due to appear before Burnley Youth Court on 27
September.
Guardian
'Tragedy beyond words' for family as woman, 20, dies after park
attack
· Goth couple 'set upon by gang' two weeks ago
· Assault charges against five youths under review
Riazat Butt
Saturday August 25, 2007
The Guardian
A 20-year-old woman who was severely beaten during an alleged mob
attack died from her injuries yesterday.
Sophie Lancaster was walking through the skating area of Stubbylee
Park in Bacup, Lancashire, with her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21,
when they were attacked by a gang of youths in the early hours of
August 11. The couple, whose injuries were so bad that police were
initially unable to determine their sexes, were taken to Rochdale
Infirmary.
Article continues
----------------------------------------
-----------
----------------------------------------
-----------
Mr Maltby was transferred to North Manchester general hospital,
while Sophie was moved to Fairfield hospital, Bury, then onto the
neurology unit of Hope hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester.
They were both unconscious and remained in a coma, but when Mr
Maltby's condition improved he was transferred to Birch Hill
hospital in Rochdale. He recovered from bleeding on the brain and
was briefly let out of hospital on Wednesday to visit Miss
Lancaster. She died yesterday morning, after attempts to treat her
injuries failed.
In a statement Miss Lancaster's parents, John and Sylvia, said: "We
were proud to know our daughter. She was funny, kind, loving and
brave.
"She was a beautiful girl with a social conscience and values which
made her a joy to know. Not being able to see her blossom into her
full potential or even to see her smile again is a tragedy beyond
words."
Five male youths have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm
with intent, but police said those charges would now be the subject
of a review by detectives and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The families of Miss Lancaster and Mr Maltby have confirmed that the
couple, who were goths, had encountered trouble before because of
their black clothing and multiple piercings.
Mr Maltby's uncle, Nigel Lancashire, told a local paper that his
nephew was "disorientated and confused" and said the hospital
reunion was "heartbreaking".
Mr Lancashire said: "Rob was a real mess when we first saw him. His
face was swollen and he was in a neck brace. They're both
intelligent, sensitive kids. They're not the sort of people to get
in trouble, but they have had problems in the past because they
stand out."
Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who is leading the investigation,
said: "It is tragic that this young woman has now died. Our thoughts
are obviously with her family." He appealed for witnesses to come
forward.
Mr Maltby, a former Bacup and Rawtenstall grammar school pupil, had
been going out with Miss Lancaster for around three years and was an
art student in Manchester. Miss Lancaster is thought to have been on
a gap year. Both were left with heavily swollen faces and bleeding
from their ears and noses and Miss Lancaster was said to have had a
piece of flesh missing from her head where her attackers had pulled
out her hair.
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham, of Lancashire police,
said: "This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the senseless
loss of a young and vibrant woman.
"There are, of course, young people in Lancashire and, as we have
seen in recent times, all over the country who are intent on
disrupting the lives of law-abiding citizens. In the very worst
cases, such as this one, their actions have devastating
consequences."
A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old have been remanded in custody, while
two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old have been released on bail. They
are all due to appear before Burnley youth court on September 27.
Rossendale free press
Park attack victim loses fight for life
SOPHIE LancasterTHE 20-year-old victim of a horrific `mob attack' in
Bacup has lost her fight for life.
Former Haslingden High School pupil Sophie Lancaster suffered
horrific head and facial injuries when she and her boyfriend Robert
Maltby were assaulted in Stubbylee Park in the early hours of 11
August, leaving them both in comas.
Devastated family were told earlier in the week that she would not
recover and went to say their last goodbyes at her bedside in Hope
Hospital, Salford.
And today (Friday) the heartbreaking decision was made to turn off
Sophie's life support machine; she died at 11.30am.
Rob's uncle and close friend of the couple Nigel Lancashire
said: `We are all just horrified. Both families are absolutely
devastated.
`You don't think it can happen to someone you know; these things
happen to someone else. All her friends managed to get to see her
and everyone who mattered got to say their goodbyes.'
Robert, known as Rob, was briefly allowed out of Rochdale Infirmary
on Wednesday to pay his girlfriend an emotional last visit. A former
student at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar, he also suffered severe
head and facial injuries, but his condition has improved.
Mr Lancashire described his nephew as very `disorientated and
confused'.
He said Rob, 21, had been asking about Sophie all the time and when
he saw her to say goodbye it was `heartbreaking'.
The couple, both of Bacup, were allegedly assaulted by a group of
people at the skate park at around 1.20am after spending the evening
at a friend's house
Five youths, three aged 15 and two aged 17, have been charged with
grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the assault on
Sophie and Robert; the police and Crown Prosecution Service are now
reviewing those charges.
Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who described the incident as
a `mob attack' is leading the investigation.
He said: `It is tragic that this young woman has now died. Our
thoughts are obviously with her family. Anyone who saw the attack or
has any information should contact the police.'
Several readers voiced their horror over what happened after reading
last week's Free Press article; one claimed footage of the alleged
attack had been on home video website YouTube.
Definately a case for all family members of the scum carrying out
this attack to be sterilised and their bloodline to be ended.
Sky News
Woman Dies After Park Attack
Updated: 15:58, Friday August 24, 2007
A 20-year-old woman attacked by a gang in a Lancashire park has died.
Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend were set upon while walking
through Stubbylee Park in Bacup on August 11.
Sophie LancasterThey were both beaten up in a vicious assault.
Miss Lancaster was left in a coma with serious head and facial
injuries and died this morning.
Her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, was also left in a coma with
bleeding on the brain but has recovered.
He had been briefly let out of hospital on Wednesday to visit Miss
Lancaster.
The pair, both from Bacup, have been described as "Goths" who
usually dress in black and wear heavy face make-up.
It is understood the couple had been targeted in the past because of
the way they dressed and looked.
Five male youths have been already been charged with causing
grievous bodily harm with intent.
BBC News
Woman dies following gang attack
Sophie was attacked while in the park with her boyfriend
A 20-year-old woman who was attacked by a gang of youths in a park
in Lancashire, has died in hospital.
Sophie Lancaster and her 21-year-old boyfriend Robert Maltby were
found with serious head injuries in Stubbylee park in Bacup,
Rossendale, on 11 August.
Mr Maltby was left in a coma with bleeding on his brain but has
since made a recovery.
Lancashire police have charged five teenage boys, aged between 15
and 17, with section 18 wounding.
These charges are now subject of a review in liaison with the Crown
Prosecution Service, police said.
'Senseless loss'
Police have now renewed their appeal for witnesses and are looking
for any information that could help with their enquiries.
Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said the attack was "a tragic
incident which has resulted in the senseless loss of a young and
vibrant woman".
The couple were taken to Rochdale Infirmary after the attack, before
Miss Lancaster was transferred to Fairfield Hospital, Bury, and then
Hope Hospital's neurology unit in Salford.
Mr Maltby was briefly let out of hospital on Wednesday to visit Miss
Lancaster.
A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old have been remanded in custody, while
two 15-year-olds and 17-year-old were released on bail.
They are all due to appear before Burnley Youth Court on 27
September.
Guardian
'Tragedy beyond words' for family as woman, 20, dies after park
attack
· Goth couple 'set upon by gang' two weeks ago
· Assault charges against five youths under review
Riazat Butt
Saturday August 25, 2007
The Guardian
A 20-year-old woman who was severely beaten during an alleged mob
attack died from her injuries yesterday.
Sophie Lancaster was walking through the skating area of Stubbylee
Park in Bacup, Lancashire, with her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21,
when they were attacked by a gang of youths in the early hours of
August 11. The couple, whose injuries were so bad that police were
initially unable to determine their sexes, were taken to Rochdale
Infirmary.
Article continues
----------------------------------------
-----------
----------------------------------------
-----------
Mr Maltby was transferred to North Manchester general hospital,
while Sophie was moved to Fairfield hospital, Bury, then onto the
neurology unit of Hope hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester.
They were both unconscious and remained in a coma, but when Mr
Maltby's condition improved he was transferred to Birch Hill
hospital in Rochdale. He recovered from bleeding on the brain and
was briefly let out of hospital on Wednesday to visit Miss
Lancaster. She died yesterday morning, after attempts to treat her
injuries failed.
In a statement Miss Lancaster's parents, John and Sylvia, said: "We
were proud to know our daughter. She was funny, kind, loving and
brave.
"She was a beautiful girl with a social conscience and values which
made her a joy to know. Not being able to see her blossom into her
full potential or even to see her smile again is a tragedy beyond
words."
Five male youths have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm
with intent, but police said those charges would now be the subject
of a review by detectives and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The families of Miss Lancaster and Mr Maltby have confirmed that the
couple, who were goths, had encountered trouble before because of
their black clothing and multiple piercings.
Mr Maltby's uncle, Nigel Lancashire, told a local paper that his
nephew was "disorientated and confused" and said the hospital
reunion was "heartbreaking".
Mr Lancashire said: "Rob was a real mess when we first saw him. His
face was swollen and he was in a neck brace. They're both
intelligent, sensitive kids. They're not the sort of people to get
in trouble, but they have had problems in the past because they
stand out."
Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who is leading the investigation,
said: "It is tragic that this young woman has now died. Our thoughts
are obviously with her family." He appealed for witnesses to come
forward.
Mr Maltby, a former Bacup and Rawtenstall grammar school pupil, had
been going out with Miss Lancaster for around three years and was an
art student in Manchester. Miss Lancaster is thought to have been on
a gap year. Both were left with heavily swollen faces and bleeding
from their ears and noses and Miss Lancaster was said to have had a
piece of flesh missing from her head where her attackers had pulled
out her hair.
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham, of Lancashire police,
said: "This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the senseless
loss of a young and vibrant woman.
"There are, of course, young people in Lancashire and, as we have
seen in recent times, all over the country who are intent on
disrupting the lives of law-abiding citizens. In the very worst
cases, such as this one, their actions have devastating
consequences."
A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old have been remanded in custody, while
two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old have been released on bail. They
are all due to appear before Burnley youth court on September 27.
Rossendale free press
Park attack victim loses fight for life
SOPHIE LancasterTHE 20-year-old victim of a horrific `mob attack' in
Bacup has lost her fight for life.
Former Haslingden High School pupil Sophie Lancaster suffered
horrific head and facial injuries when she and her boyfriend Robert
Maltby were assaulted in Stubbylee Park in the early hours of 11
August, leaving them both in comas.
Devastated family were told earlier in the week that she would not
recover and went to say their last goodbyes at her bedside in Hope
Hospital, Salford.
And today (Friday) the heartbreaking decision was made to turn off
Sophie's life support machine; she died at 11.30am.
Rob's uncle and close friend of the couple Nigel Lancashire
said: `We are all just horrified. Both families are absolutely
devastated.
`You don't think it can happen to someone you know; these things
happen to someone else. All her friends managed to get to see her
and everyone who mattered got to say their goodbyes.'
Robert, known as Rob, was briefly allowed out of Rochdale Infirmary
on Wednesday to pay his girlfriend an emotional last visit. A former
student at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar, he also suffered severe
head and facial injuries, but his condition has improved.
Mr Lancashire described his nephew as very `disorientated and
confused'.
He said Rob, 21, had been asking about Sophie all the time and when
he saw her to say goodbye it was `heartbreaking'.
The couple, both of Bacup, were allegedly assaulted by a group of
people at the skate park at around 1.20am after spending the evening
at a friend's house
Five youths, three aged 15 and two aged 17, have been charged with
grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the assault on
Sophie and Robert; the police and Crown Prosecution Service are now
reviewing those charges.
Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who described the incident as
a `mob attack' is leading the investigation.
He said: `It is tragic that this young woman has now died. Our
thoughts are obviously with her family. Anyone who saw the attack or
has any information should contact the police.'
Several readers voiced their horror over what happened after reading
last week's Free Press article; one claimed footage of the alleged
attack had been on home video website YouTube.
Definately a case for all family members of the scum carrying out
this attack to be sterilised and their bloodline to be ended.
