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Sophie Lancaster's 'feral' murderers sentenced

4:43pm Monday 28th April 2008

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Photograph of the Author By Sally Henfield »

SOPHIE Lancaster's teenage murderers were branded feral thugs' by a judge as he sent them to jail for life.

Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, carried out a "hate crime against harmless people", Judge Anthony Russell QC said.

He said: "At least wild animals, when they hunt in packs, have a legitimate reason for so doing, to obtain food.

"You have none and your behaviour on that night degrades humanity itself.

"This was feral thuggery.

"It raises serious questions about the sort of society which exists in this country at the start of a new millennium which was heralded with such optimism."

Harris, 15, of Spring Terrace, Bacup, who was convicted after a trial last month, was ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years.

Herbert, 16, of Rossendale Crescent, Bacup, who admitted murder, received a 16-year tariff.

Sophie, 20, was kicked and stamped to death as she begged the pair to stop beating her boyfriend Robert Maltby in Stubbylee Park, Bacup last August.

The former Haslingden High School pupils, who lived together in Bacup, were targeted for being dressed like goths.

The tense sentencing saw four police officers brought in to stand guard outside the packed court room while another two stood inside.

Extra policing was also brought in for other areas of the building.

Sophie's family and supporters had sat in the jury box, while the defendants family were all separated from them in the public gallery.

Judge Russell told the defendents: "This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it.

"The intolerance you displayed in this case is shocking evidence of the attitudes of some of our people.

"This was a hate crime against these completely harmless people targeted because their appearance was different to yours."

Defence solicitors said that the age of the teens should be taken into consideration.

Richard Marks QC acting for Herbert said that the 16-year-old had not "tried to minimise the part he had played in this dreadful incident".

He said: "This was not in anyway a premeditated attack.

"Befuddled by drink he did not fully appreciate the very serious consequences that his actions were likely to entail."

Harris's lawyer Andrew O'Byrne, said that the 15-year-old felt remorse for what had happened but Judge Russell interrupted and said that in recent documents Harris was still adament he was not guilty.

But Judge Russell dismissed all the defendant sentiments of remorse as "shallow".

He told the defendants that he "noted the swaggering manner that some of you have displayed" in court.

"I noticed the wink that one of you exchanged with the public gallery when the murder charge was not proceeded with against you and that one of you thought it appropriate to shout out 'love you mum"'.

He said: "You have shown little genuine shame or remorse for your actions and I regard the sentiments of regret you have sought to put forward to the Youth Offending team and through your counsel as hollow when put into the overall context of this case."

After the case, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Lancashire Robert Marshall described the case as "truly shocking".

Mr Marshall said: ""The murder of Sophie Lancaster and the vicious attack on her boyfriend Robert Maltby stand out for their utter pointlessness and sheer brutality.

"Worse still, it seems very likely that the attack started as a form of amusement for those involved.

"We can only try to imagine the loss felt by Miss Lancaster's family, who have conducted themselves with outstanding dignity and restraint throughout this difficult case.

"The final words must be our heartfelt sympathy for them."

Your Say YourTelegraph

Gill, Bacup says...
1:08pm Wed 14 May 08

bacupman wrote:
Went into the Co-op this morning, bought the LET with the headline Wild Animals and made my feelings clear to the checkout staff that the families of these thugs should be ashamed, especially the Herberts, the staff all agreed. Chritsine was visible. It would be a good thing is lots of people now go in and make the same point. She should not be allowed to carry on meeting the public without some form of apology.
Why go into the co op and make the rest of the staff suffer ? Hard working decent people work there, and customers going in and shouting about Christine Herbert, only makes the rest of the staff uncomfortable. I agree with what you are saying I really do not know how she has the nerve to show her face, not only at work, but in public. What good would her apolpgy do ? She wouldn't mean it, she is the mother of an evil scum bag, where do you think he got his attitude and disregard for people. At least think of the other staff. As for boycotting the co op will you be one of the first to complain when they shut it due to poor sales, and all the staff are then out of work, is that what Bacup needs, yet another business closing and people out of work ? I am standing up for the Co op staff, NOT Christine Herbert.

see all, rossendale says...
12:19am Wed 7 May 08

all members of the gang of thugs who attacked sophie and rob that night whether they took part in this evil deed or not should have been charged with ACCESARY TO MURDER. Whatever happened to this charge? has the law been changed or am i missing somthing?

human animal (note correction in bold), earth says...
2:22pm Sat 3 May 08

human animal wrote:
i like dogs and i like kids but both should be treated the same when they go feral and violent, the dogs that attacked and killed the little pony have been destroyed so should the attackers and killers and rob and sophie. Its thanks to luck and maybe a stronger male skull that rob survived, and more delicate sophie died, its not thanks to the thugs for being less violent with rob than sophie. The law needs to change to make a kick to the head, a potentially fatal act and treat it as the attempted murder it actually is, not GBH with intent as it is now. The head is more vulnerable than the body, except a wounded heart, the head contains the brain. A kick to the head is not done with attempt to harm it is attempt to kill. If we don't want society to revert back to tooth and claw days of primitive man the sooner we recognise and treat something rotten in the species the better it will be for all.
i like dogs and i like kids but both should be treated the same when they go feral and violent, the dogs that attacked and killed the little pony have been destroyed so should the attackers and killers OF rob and sophie. Its thanks to luck and maybe a stronger male skull that rob survived, and more delicate sophie died, its not thanks to the thugs for being less violent with rob than sophie. The law needs to change to make a kick to the head, a potentially fatal act and treat it as the attempted murder it actually is, not GBH with intent as it is now. The head is more vulnerable than the body, except a wounded heart, the head contains the brain. A kick to the head is not done with attempt to harm it is attempt to kill. If we don't want society to revert back to tooth and claw days of primitive man the sooner we recognise and treat something rotten in the species the better it will be for all.

human animal, earth says...
2:19pm Sat 3 May 08

i like dogs and i like kids but both should be treated the same when they go feral and violent, the dogs that attacked and killed the little pony have been destroyed so should the attackers and killers and rob and sophie. Its thanks to luck and maybe a stronger male skull that rob survived, and more delicate sophie died, its not thanks to the thugs for being less violent with rob than sophie. The law needs to change to make a kick to the head, a potentially fatal act and treat it as the attempted murder it actually is, not GBH with intent as it is now. The head is more vulnerable than the body, except a wounded heart, the head contains the brain. A kick to the head is not done with attempt to harm it is attempt to kill. If we don't want society to revert back to tooth and claw days of primitive man the sooner we recognise and treat something rotten in the species the better it will be for all.

sara f, middleton says...
1:49pm Sat 3 May 08

Jon Dale wrote:
After a crime that made national headlines and was as shocking as this, you might expect that things would have changed a lot and that a 'zero tolerance' zone would be in place in streets near the park to make certain that nothing similar could possibly happen again. But in Stacksteads - which is just along the road from the park - at about 10pm on Friday, under-18 boys were still shopping for booze at the off-licence in plain sight and hanging about in groups nearby. There was no sign of any police presence for miles in any direction.
I'm in my 40s and underage drinking was common when i was in my teens, but apart from the odd little scrap, usually between 2 lads, which was over and done with in no time, there was nothing like the violence we have now, it goes deeper than alcohol.

Nemesis, Norway says...
11:26am Sat 3 May 08

I hope they get a long and **** life behind those walls. Beaten up a few times every week. Someone inside might want to take these two young gentlemen as their wives.. I wish the worst for these scum. Death is far too good. They should keep an eye on them to avoid suicide and look the other way when they are taken.... no escape.

Anyways. This is to much to hope for. It was a harsh punishment. And the judge showed little understanding and mercy. Some of you might think they should get even more years behind bars. But as soon as they get out they will be back in that scumhole again for doing something wrong in no time so...

Jon Dale, Nearby says...
10:59am Sat 3 May 08

After a crime that made national headlines and was as shocking as this, you might expect that things would have changed a lot and that a 'zero tolerance' zone would be in place in streets near the park to make certain that nothing similar could possibly happen again. But in Stacksteads - which is just along the road from the park - at about 10pm on Friday, under-18 boys were still shopping for booze at the off-licence in plain sight and hanging about in groups nearby. There was no sign of any police presence for miles in any direction.

Parent, Burnley says...
7:34pm Fri 2 May 08

Bacup Mum, if you have heard correct and one of them has hung himself, im elated..but he doesnt get to suffer anymore and lets face it, this lot need to suffer.. an unimaginable suffering of the worse kind.. so lets hope it is a rumour and bring on big leroy to show them how prison really works, i particulary hope Herbert gets the biatch treatment.. murdering pieces of scum.

bacup mum, bacup says...
6:58pm Fri 2 May 08

sorry meant to write mum being done for washing his bloody clothes

bacup mum, bacup says...
6:56pm Fri 2 May 08

according to a close herbert family source ryan was sick of the flack, knew he didnt stand a chance of being found not guilty so pleaded guilty in the hope of a lesser sentence also to protect mum being bloody clothes. her defence was she didnt know how serious it was because he was always getting into fights. He even told her he'd just beaten up a mosher and she just accepted it. She just accepted his violence as normal.

Just heard rumour one of them has hung hiself. If its true good riddance to bad rubbish.

Bacup200, Bacup says...
10:00am Thu 1 May 08

A quick look round Bacup yesterday revealed several shops that had closed down recently - and what was newish - a bargain Boozebusters . All for the booze sodden yobs who commit crimes like this one. Says it all.

andy, spain says...
11:11pm Wed 30 Apr 08

Escaped Spain and Neil I apologise to you both if I may have got the wrong end of the stick. I do however stand by the statistics if they are ever right of course. Yes escaped Spain I love the life style out here. Miss the family etc in the UK though lol.

Regards Andy.

escaped, Spain says...
11:42am Wed 30 Apr 08

andy wrote:
Posted by: Neil Jackson, Derby on 6:58pm Tue 29 Apr 08 Council estate jobless dole-scroungers get away with murder yet again. They'll be offered computer courses before the flowers have withered. Scrap the hand-outs; let Darwin sort them out. Council estate jobless dole-scroungers get away with murder yet again. They'll be offered computer courses before the flowers have withered. Scrap the hand-outs; let Darwin sort them out. Choose tour words wisely my friend not every one who comes has you put it is a jobless dole scrounger. I was brought up on a Council Estate and I and my family and many like us have always worked. Some of those who have the biggest houses etc have been bought by the illegal Narcotics trade and other proceeds of crime. Your statement is tarring every person who lives or has lived on a Council Estate has bad people which is beyond the truth. These thugs could of come from any house hold in the country not just a Council Estate. For some unknown reason people of your mentality seem to think all Council Tenants are Criminals the true fact is most crimes are done by those who own their own homes check out the statics. Regarding Rob and Sophie you where the victims and always will be you are both in our thoughts over what happened that summer night last year we will never forget that even here in Spain the story is known. I made it my point to get people to view what had happened so it does not happen here and yes it could unless attitudes change.
Neil was right in everything he said Andy. They WERE dole scroungers off a council estate etc. He DIDN'T tar all council house tennents with the same brush.
Statistics though, do indicate a greater risk of crime coming from council house tennents. Check them out.
Having said that, I thought your earlier post (smell the coffee) was spot on and I agree with every word you said.
Enjoy Espana. I am.

andy, spain says...
9:22am Wed 30 Apr 08

Posted by: Neil Jackson, Derby on 6:58pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Council estate jobless dole-scroungers get away with murder yet again. They'll be offered computer courses before the flowers have withered. Scrap the hand-outs; let Darwin sort them out.
Council estate jobless dole-scroungers get away with murder yet again. They'll be offered computer courses before the flowers have withered.
Scrap the hand-outs; let Darwin sort them out.

Choose tour words wisely my friend not every one who comes has you put it is a jobless dole scrounger. I was brought up on a Council Estate and I and my family and many like us have always worked. Some of those who have the biggest houses etc have been bought by the illegal Narcotics trade and other proceeds of crime. Your statement is tarring every person who lives or has lived on a Council Estate has bad people which is beyond the truth. These thugs could of come from any house hold in the country not just a Council Estate. For some unknown reason people of your mentality seem to think all Council Tenants are Criminals the true fact is most crimes are done by those who own their own homes check out the statics. Regarding Rob and Sophie you where the victims and always will be you are both in our thoughts over what happened that summer night last year we will never forget that even here in Spain the story is known. I made it my point to get people to view what had happened so it does not happen here and yes it could unless attitudes change.

whitworth vig, whitworth says...
9:56pm Tue 29 Apr 08

IT DOESNT MATTER wrote:
SO YOU KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY WILL BE LOOKED UP TO BY THE GYPSY COMMUNITY YOU VE ASKED THEM HAVE YOU AND BY WHAT YOU WROTE THIS FAMILY USES GUNS ASWELL I DONT THINK SO AND AS FOR YOU HAVING A PROBLEM WITH TRAVELLING FAMILIES THEN I GUESS YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE BEING ON THE DOLE AS THEY DONT PAY TAXES
LOL no i meant shoot me for using that dreadful word, and i base my opinions on previous similar history.
The Dole is another issue and yes i do have a problem it should be awarded on a sliding scale for a maximum of 6 months more than enough time to find a job.These boys are scum born and bred you are trying to defend the indfensible.

angry and disgusted, bacup says...
8:46pm Tue 29 Apr 08

You scum destroyed Sophies future, ruined Robs, his family, her family, all their friends. She was a rare bright light in a darkening world and you and all who defend you deserve whatevers coming to you. EVIL INHUMANE SAVAGE STONE AGE SOULESS SCUM.

IT DOESNT MATTER, IT DOESNT MATTER says...
7:38pm Tue 29 Apr 08

SO YOU KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY WILL BE LOOKED UP TO BY THE GYPSY COMMUNITY YOU VE ASKED THEM HAVE YOU AND BY WHAT YOU WROTE THIS FAMILY USES GUNS ASWELL
I DONT THINK SO
AND AS FOR YOU HAVING A PROBLEM WITH TRAVELLING FAMILIES THEN I GUESS YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE BEING ON THE DOLE
AS THEY DONT PAY TAXES

whitworth Vig, whitworth says...
7:09pm Tue 29 Apr 08

IT DOESNT MATTER wrote:
whitworth Vig wrote: Having known three of these vermin since they were in the infants at school in shawforth I can honestly say this is no real surprise, Harris was always an out of control aggressive primary student who fought like an adult at 8 years of age much to his families amusement. The Hulme brothers have just got progressively worse as they have got older and could be seen hanging around street threatening other youngsters over the last 5 years. These sentences will mean nothing to them or their families. The Hulmes will be held in high esteem within their GYPO community and fully supported like the rest of their family have when being imprisoned. Harris well most of his family will have hopefully drank themselves to death by the time he comes out, they could quite easily set up their own branch of AA within that family. RIP Sophie
SORRY U R WRONG THEY WONT BE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM AND WHATS WITH GYPO REMARK SO LET ME GUESS IF IT WAS A TRAVELLER OR AN ASIAN WHO THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPEN TO YOU WOULD NOT BE BOTHERED IF FACT I BET ALOT OF YOU ON HERE WOULD SAY OH WELL ONE LESS GYPO OR ASIAN TO WORRY ABOUT
Well well wondered how long it would take before the PC Bigade made and appearance, unless you know these people a **** site better than i do then please dont try to tell me they wont be looked up to has happened previously within this GYPO(shoot me) family. Im quite shaw that whatever walk of life the poor victim came from this would have been seen as harrowing. Oh and yes i do have a problem with travelling families who dont pay taxes etc and illegal immigrants who dont pay their way but race and colour are irrelevant this was dispicable and sentences are way to short.

Neil Jackson, Derby says...
6:58pm Tue 29 Apr 08

Council estate jobless dole-scroungers get away with murder yet again. They'll be offered computer courses before the flowers have withered.
Scrap the hand-outs; let Darwin sort them out.

IT DOESNT MATTER, IT DOESNT MATTER says...
6:54pm Tue 29 Apr 08

whitworth Vig wrote:
Having known three of these vermin since they were in the infants at school in shawforth I can honestly say this is no real surprise, Harris was always an out of control aggressive primary student who fought like an adult at 8 years of age much to his families amusement. The Hulme brothers have just got progressively worse as they have got older and could be seen hanging around street threatening other youngsters over the last 5 years. These sentences will mean nothing to them or their families. The Hulmes will be held in high esteem within their GYPO community and fully supported like the rest of their family have when being imprisoned. Harris well most of his family will have hopefully drank themselves to death by the time he comes out, they could quite easily set up their own branch of AA within that family. RIP Sophie
SORRY U R WRONG THEY WONT BE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM AND WHATS WITH GYPO REMARK
SO LET ME GUESS IF IT WAS A TRAVELLER OR AN ASIAN WHO THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPEN TO YOU WOULD NOT BE BOTHERED IF FACT I BET ALOT OF YOU ON HERE WOULD SAY OH WELL ONE LESS GYPO OR ASIAN TO WORRY ABOUT

leston, says...
5:33pm Tue 29 Apr 08

thank god these animals have to serve a minimum dentence of 16 and 18 yrs,even though it wont bring sophie back.

Gemma, harle syke says...
4:20pm Tue 29 Apr 08

they deserve all they get in prison! thaty shouldnt be allowed back on the streets! Life means life not released in 25 years or so.

d, b/burn says...
1:19pm Tue 29 Apr 08

Alyson Vinnyey wrote:
This is a very sad story and unfortunately a much more common one the world over. I think we need to get back to some sort of discipline in our so called democratic societies and the people who say we cannot punish our children are very much to blame. This is where it starts, the very early years, children do not automaticaly know right from wrong - it is taught and this doesn\'t have to be through hard smacking before you do gooders try to get on the band wagon! If a child is brought up not knowing the boundaries and by sheer good fortune get through their own life without hiccup they still haven\'t learned the boundaries and so their children don\'t because their parents don\'t know them etc etc and on and on - we are bringing up a society that are totally undiciplined. We\'ve taken the art of teaching discipline away from parents, teachers and anyone in authority. What hope have we got without this!! On top of this when these people get into trouble they still don\'t learn because the sentence doesn\'t match the crime. These \'youths\' should be sentenced to life and life should mean life. They have taken a life for goodness sake - doesn\'t this mean anything anymore!! Does a life not count!! They will still have theirs in prison and should think themselves very fortunate to have that privilege because that\'s what it is, a privilege.
agree totally.since corprel punishment was abolished in schools kids are growing up with no disapline.Most of these kids are now being brought up by parents who went to school after corprel punishment was abolished so a teacher only has to shout at them and the parents are in trying to get them sacked.they spend over six hrs a day in school so surely teachers should have the right to punish without the fear of getting sacked.
i personaly think they should bring back gladiator arenas put them in one by one and let the familys of the aggreived deal with them how they see fit.either let a pack of wolves have them or lions!

cazzer, bacup says...
12:30pm Tue 29 Apr 08

escaped wrote:
They are all as bad as one another. Hang the lot of them and it will stop this sort of feral behaviour overnight.
yes i agree bring hanging back if there is 100% proof we should be like america where there are levals of murder ie 1st degree u get lethal injection or 2nd degree and your banged up. 1St degree would apply in this case i think. There is to much of this type of thing happening when will we get tough on this scum. Even when we try tp protect our kids propety and ourself we get beten up or worse off gangs of kids. If there where more police and kids had respect this type of thing would not happen. I mean you cant even give one of the little **** a clip round the ear without facing a criminal charge yourself. When I was a kid a copper scared you half to death there is no way any kids i knew would disrespect thier parents or ploice. Are we to blame as parents are the goverment to blame due to being to soft with punishments !!

Adam, Blackburn says...
12:27pm Tue 29 Apr 08

I don't know Rob and I didn't know Sophie, but being part of an alternative culture that faces daily prejudices and hatred, I almost feel as though I did. I am the same age as them, I have a similar lifestyle and certain groups in society think it is their right to judge me and eveyone like me. Every day, we see people like these murderers on the streets, indulging themselves in namecalling and minor scuffles. Why aren't we stopping them before they turn into monsters? Walk through Blackburn town centre any day (or night) of the week and you will see these gangs of youths hanging around, eyes peeled for their next target. The police (although understandably stretched thin, probably dealing with the scrotey, drunken parents of people just like Sophie's killers) should be dispersing these groups straight away, thus removing the threat. I've seen police officers walking past groups of youths who are taunting anybody who walks past them (including, frighteningly enough, sweet old ladies!) without a word. Why are they not tackling these people? If the police won't sort this out, who will?!
As for the courts, what more can be said. Another set of lenient sentences that will see convicted murderers with a history of random acts of extreme violence back on our streets in less than twenty years. The children my partner and I plan to have will be about Sophie and Rob's age by then. Will they face the same prejudices from the same narrow minded thugs? I truly hope not, but I won't be holding my breath.
We can intellectualise about this endlessly, but it comes down to a few very simple facts. These 'people' targeted a young couple at random for looking different and then MURDERED one of them for it. Black and white.
Its a cliche, but life should indeed mean LIFE. They took a life (and almost made it two in the process), yet they will get their lives back in time to settle down, start a family and put all this behind them when everyone has forgotten what they look like. When will Sophie get her life back? When will Rob be able to get through a night without waking up in cold sweats as he visualises what happened to the woman he loved and how he could do nothing to stop it? The answer?
NEVER.

fed up about it all, says...
11:14am Tue 29 Apr 08

Moonie wrote:
I agree with all the comments, especially about letting their braisn rot away, good punishment and well thought out DTM. I just want to know who's listening to us? Why are we not heard? Maybe someone needs to copy, paste and post all of our comments from here to our quite clearly deluded justice MP, Jack Straw(-for-brains). I don't agree with introducing Sharia law here, but why not ship out our criminals to Saudi, let them see what real punishment feels like.
http://timetostandup
.angelfire.com

This website will listen to everyone's views

anon Ex Rossendale Overseas, Middle East says...
11:03am Tue 29 Apr 08

Having Lived in Bacup in the 80;s it was alwasy known to be a no go area at night.... they even closed the Police station... part of the 'big picture'... If anyone remembers Fairview Estate, they even changed the name to Pennine Road... but you could never change the people. There are some wonderful people in Bacup, Rossendale especially. I don't think this Feral youth are just local to Rossendale ... it's a nationwide problem... look how many killings there have been in the last year alone.
There is a need from the government and the local MP's to address this problem. Stop nancying around and lock them all up... even now they say this is not the answer... perhaps stop them drinking as this seems to one of the common factors in this whole sordid affair. There aren't many pubs left in Bacup I hear... perhaps that's a good thing... now close down the Cheap booze shops and the idiots selling to the kids. Prosecute the adults that give it to the kids as well.... they'll give over eventually.

I miss Rossendale a lot, ask me if I would go back?

Ps. What's it like in Waterfoot these days? That'll be next on the list... too many Chavs... drunks... takeaways.... may the last person to leave switch off the Lights. All the Best Rossendale...

k, hassy says...
10:12am Tue 29 Apr 08

these scum bags and thier families should be made to sign up and go to war torn countries.instead of the life they are now going to get,free feeds,lodging,clothe
s,medicines and education.why should it cost us tax payers for the next 16 years.make them pay for thier crimes not us.i hope the parents of these killers feel shame,but probably dont.rip sophie.

whitworth Vig, whitworth says...
10:10am Tue 29 Apr 08

Having known three of these vermin since they were in the infants at school in shawforth I can honestly say this is no real surprise, Harris was always an out of control aggressive primary student who fought like an adult at 8 years of age much to his families amusement. The Hulme brothers have just got progressively worse as they have got older and could be seen hanging around street threatening other youngsters over the last 5 years. These sentences will mean nothing to them or their families. The Hulmes will be held in high esteem within their GYPO community and fully supported like the rest of their family have when being imprisoned. Harris well most of his family will have hopefully drank themselves to death by the time he comes out, they could quite easily set up their own branch of AA within that family.
RIP Sophie

KC, London says...
9:20am Tue 29 Apr 08

cate wrote:
Bob wrote: The parents of these scummy individuals should also face punishment, as it is their neglect/poor parenting which allows these people to grow up with no regard for anyone else.
totally agree with u there bob
I agree with bob parents of these wild animals and the country is full of them should be punished as the owner of a vicious dog would be if it attacked someone, my sympathies go out to sophies familly. also prison is no punishment anymore with tv's stereos free meals no work etc no wonder its not a deterent

bacupman, Bacup says...
9:01am Tue 29 Apr 08

Went into the Co-op this morning, bought the LET with the headline Wild Animals and made my feelings clear to the checkout staff that the families of these thugs should be ashamed, especially the Herberts, the staff all agreed. Chritsine was visible. It would be a good thing is lots of people now go in and make the same point. She should not be allowed to carry on meeting the public without some form of apology.

Moonie, Darwen says...
8:50am Tue 29 Apr 08

I agree with all the comments, especially about letting their braisn rot away, good punishment and well thought out DTM.

I just want to know who's listening to us? Why are we not heard? Maybe someone needs to copy, paste and post all of our comments from here to our quite clearly deluded justice MP, Jack Straw(-for-brains).

I don't agree with introducing Sharia law here, but why not ship out our criminals to Saudi, let them see what real punishment feels like.

andy, spain says...
8:49am Tue 29 Apr 08

And when these two little cherubs get out the Nanny state will bend over backwards to protect them. New Identities threats of the State any Vigilantism will not be tolerated. My answer to that well give the $hits the right sentences and there wouldn't be a problem now would there? I was anti-hanging etc at one time my attitude has changed over the years when I realised the experiment had gone wrong. We should start by reintroducing corporal punishment in our schools and let the parents give them an hiding like I used to get if I wouldn't behave. To all the do gooders It worked and I knew what would be tolerated and what would not be tolerated your ideas of the softly softly approach have screwed up our society. Wake up and smell the coffee before its to late.

Dave, Accrington says...
6:53am Tue 29 Apr 08


They are the scummy offspring of scum parents and even when they come out of prison we as taxpayers will end up keeping them for the rest of their lousy lives.
The problem is that scum breed so much as the benefit system encourages it. Go in any town any day and watch the chavs pushing their prams around inbetween texting and having a fag, all at the tax payers expense of course.

DTM, says...
2:13am Tue 29 Apr 08

I disagree with killing them.

I believe they should should be driven to a mental breakdown, and to the point of suicide, but without ever having the opportunity to take their own life or anybody else's ever again.

Stop all visits, stop all mental stimulus and let their brains rot away.

Force them to want to die. Make their lives hell, and their families that supported them all.

In the mean time, stuff the law and use them for cancer research trials.

If that can not be done, then use Electric Convulsive Therapy on them and their parents.

Also abandon shopping at Co-Op in Bacup until one of the mothers begins to feel the shame of breeding a murderous piece of scum.

CD, Blackburn says...
10:33pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Dont lock them up string string them up!

cate, says...
10:31pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Bob wrote:
The parents of these scummy individuals should also face punishment, as it is their neglect/poor parenting which allows these people to grow up with no regard for anyone else.
totally agree with u there bob

macca, England says...
10:28pm Mon 28 Apr 08

I hope the good people of Bacup, take appropriate measures against the scum families.Name, shame and photos so everybody knows who they are.Give them no rest,decent people throughout Britain are counting on you!!

Anon too, Bacup says...
10:07pm Mon 28 Apr 08

I agree with most of the feelings expressed. For those of us who live close to some of the families involved, it will be a relief to get some of them off the streets. And they will at least learn not to drop the soap in the showers! Seriously I hope that they will all give some long hard thought to what they have done, what "life sentences" Sophie's & Rob's families & Rob himself will be living with and actually come out of this as decent, caring, human beings, instead of pure scum. Otherwise, sadly, we are locking them up to no purpose. They have to learn some sort of standards of community life and respect for all other sentient beings, or they should not be released.

Chavbuster, Lancashire says...
10:02pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Well im rejoicing at the fact that the courts have finally woken up to this chavscum underclass thats blights the UK.
Such a shame that it has taken the loss of a young life for the judges to wake up at last.
A better sentence would have been to string up these killers from the nearest lamp-post.

CB

Bob, Blackburn says...
9:30pm Mon 28 Apr 08

The parents of these scummy individuals should also face punishment, as it is their neglect/poor parenting which allows these people to grow up with no regard for anyone else.

mike rigby, blackburn says...
8:45pm Mon 28 Apr 08

This is a hopeless and inadequate sentence; it sends completely the wrong message to all the other feral scumbags in the area.
Herbert and his stinking friend will still be relatively young men when they come out.
They will be insitutionalised and totally useless to society;they are half wits anyway, so rehablitation is not an option,they WILL commit further offences.
If an adult had done this, he would NEVER have come out. What is it about our judicial system that imposes lesser sentences on the grounds of youth?
In a society that really cared about deterrence they would have been locked up and left to rot forever.

see all, rossendale says...
8:38pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Dogs shot dead after killing horse in Haslingden,!.....Pit
y these two bastards weren't dogs

ydt, millenium falcon says...
8:02pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Well they get life (few years) not real liffe term in prison so wot they get better fed than pensioners, better medical care than war heros, no bils, good education, trips out, latest computer games, wot a reward for such a despicable crime. We should get stuff human rights with criminals and bring back death penalty. Keep the prisoners in single cells with basic furntiure, no privliges and enought sustance to just keep them alive instead of fattening them up on the best. All the money saved could be reinvested in our treatment of war heroes and giving our pensioners the life of luxury our prisoners currently get. We should get them in bright boiler suits like USA and out working on roads and doing hard labour. England is a soft touch for all criminals with great rewards given to you in jail. Still we are being dictated to by a primeminister that no one actually voted for.

Pete, bacup says...
7:34pm Mon 28 Apr 08

After 5 yrs, they will need to move right out of Rossendale, in fact lancashire altogether. no one will have them in the area. I would think that the authorities will incurr this onto them, because if the lancaster families & the Maltbys have a life sentence, theirs will be a life sentence too. No more, We dont want them. RIP Sophie, such a waste of life, may you watch over us.

Young & Proud, Blackburn says...
7:34pm Mon 28 Apr 08

I HOPE THESE TWO SCROATS END UP EITHER TAKING THEIR OWN LIFES OR END UP BEATEN TO DEATH - I'M NOT SORRY FOR WHAT I WISH, SHAME REVENGE CANNOT BE CLASSED AS LAWFUL PUNISHMENT!

lala, Burnley says...
7:29pm Mon 28 Apr 08

hel be out in 5 yrs i hope they let every 1 go free yeh why not go 4 it

anon, bacup says...
6:24pm Mon 28 Apr 08

this sentence is not long enough they should never be free they have taken a life and ruined the lives of many others lets see how big and hard they feel tonight knowing this is going to be home for a long time bet they not sniggering now

Harwood Girl, says...
5:14pm Mon 28 Apr 08

I'm glad they got what they deserved, just wish they weren't allowed out ever again. Lock them up and throw away the key. R.I.P Sophie

black cap, behind the bar says...
5:11pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Lets hope they let them keep their shoe lace`s

bob, bburn says...
5:04pm Mon 28 Apr 08

OK scum welcome to prison - in your cold empty cell you will find a noose and a chair - starve or use the amenities provided as we are thowing away the key.

Tan, blackburn says...
5:02pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Tan wrote:
I really hope these two little pieces of s*** get whats coming to them..life is still too good for them,they should hang the little ba****** and save us paying to keep them in there!!!
Not long enough they always say life,but life is not 18 years in my eyes,i hope they get there just deserts in prison!! i can only imagine what that poor family family must be going through,my thoughts are with them and R