>> August 11, 2007

  • 9.00 pm Sophie and Robert attend the home of friend Jonathan Smethurst in Rochdale Road, Bacup, where they drink vodka and coke
  • 11.40 pm They leave to make their way home, taking a route that was less than two miles
  • 12 midnight A taxi driver reports seeing the pair arrive at the 24-hour Total garage in Market Street, a short way from Rochdale Road. The shopkeeper recalled they stopped to buy some cigarettes and alcohol
  • 12.05 am They meet a group of teenagers and engage in friendly conversation. A group of girls were intrigued by Sophie's appearance
  • 12.10 am They make their way to the Fudge Factory, half way between the park and garage - a location often used by youngsters for socialising
  • 12.30 am They are involved in conversation with a group
  • 1.00 am They make their way to Stubbylee Park
  • 1.10 am They meet their attackers
  • 1.12 am One shouts: He's a mosher. Hit him'
  • 11.40 pm The attack starts on Robert. He is struck once and remains standing and goes on to laugh. Police said it was not an arrogant laugh, but a nervous laugh as he did not offer any sort of retaliation
  • 1.15 am As a result of his response one of the gang said: 'He's laughing. He can't get away with it.' Rob is knocked to the floor where he is stamped upon and kicked about the head and rendered unconscious
  • 1.17 am Sophie goes to his aid shouting for help. She kneels down and cradles his head in her lap. They stamp on her and kick her about the head while she has little or no opportunity to protect herself
  • 1.18 am A 999 call is made by a witness at the scene reporting that two people were badly injured. Police believe that during the call the attack was still continuing
  • 1.19 am The yobs flee from the park
  • 1.30 am Paramedics arrive at the scene
  • 1.37 am The pair are taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital as police arrive.

>> August 24, 2007

  • Sophie dies in hospital after never regaining consciousness. Robert leaves hospital that day.