MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for one of the gang members who attacked murdered Sophie Lancaster’s boyfriend not to be allowed into Rossendale.

Danny Hulme was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent against Robert Maltby in the same attack that saw 20-year-old Sophie murdered by teenagers Brendan Harris and Ryan Herbert.

But Sophie’s mum, Sylvia, revealed that Hulme’s 10-year licence had been relaxed last month to allow him to visit his family in Bacup.

Now, an e-petition, entitled ‘To stop Danny Hulme entering or visiting Rossendale’ has been started by Ang Smith and was approaching 1,200 signatures last night.

Sophie and Mr Maltby were attacked in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, in August 2007 because they were dressed in Goth-like clothing.

The gap-year student was kicked to death trying to protect her partner.

Sylvia, who formed the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, an anti-hate crime charity, in the wake of her daughter’s death, has taken up the matter with the probation service and the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling.

Sylvia said: “I’m more than angry, I’m bewildered. When they were sentenced, it was stated then that they will not be allowed back into Rossendale.

“That’s one thing that you think: ‘Great, I can get on with my life’. Now, all of a sudden, he can. Have they not thought about the community?

“Anybody else, with a bit of common sense, would see that that isn’t right, to allow the perpetrator back into the area, where we could be shopping in the local shop and bump into him. I’m sure that can’t be right.”

E-petitions require 10,000 signatures before they earn the right to be discussed in Parliament.

Hulme, who was 16 at the time, his brother, Joseph, and a third boy, Daniel Mallet were all convicted of GBH against Mr Maltby.

Harris and Herbert were found guilty of murdering Sophie. Harris is serving a life-sentence while Herbert, who was given 16 years in prison, later had that term reduced by nine months following an appeal.