Sophie Lancaster killer to be released from jail 15 years after her murder

One of the two murderers who killed Sophie Lancaster is set to be released from prison fifteen years after the attack.

Ryan Herbert was sixteen-years-old when he was jailed for life in 2008 for murdering Sophie, twenty, in a park in Bacup, Lancashire.

Sophie and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were attacked by Herbert and five other teenage boys on August 11th, 2007. Sophie bore the brunt of the attack as she attempted to protect Robert from the assault, which was believed to have been provoked over their goth appearances.

The couple were so badly beaten that when paramedics arrived, they could not tell if they were male or female.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Sophie was placed on a life-support machine, but tragically died from her injuries in hospital almost two weeks later on August 24th.

Herbert admitted both murder and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and was given a minimum term of sixteen years and three months, though this was later reduced to fifteen and a half years.

He had his minimum tariff reduced to fourteen and a half years in February 2020, making him now eligible for parole consideration two years later.

And now, High Court judge Mr Justice William Davis has concluded the tariff can be reduced again as he had made ‘exceptional progress’ in prison.

Lancashire Police

A document setting out the decision reads: “After considering the circumstances of his offending and examining the evidence for the progress made while in custody, the panel was satisfied that Mr. Herbert was suitable for release.”

At the time of his crimes, Herbert had led an ‘anti-social lifestyle’ and spent time with ‘negative friends’ who he had a ‘misguided sense of loyalty’ towards, drank and took drugs, the parole papers said.

Herbert’s behaviour behind bars had ‘initially been poor’ but this changed once he moved into an adult prison and he had taken part in rehabilitation programmes.

The document added that Herbert had ‘improved his education with studies to degree level’ and had ‘fully engaged with resettlement activities’ including spending time on temporary release from jail. He also had a job and there was ‘positive feedback about his work’.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Sophie’s mother, Sylvia Lancaster, who set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in memory of her daughter and to promote tolerance and acceptance for alternative people, has reacted to the decision, saying ‘we have a justice system that fails to deliver justice’.

She said she could not understand the decision being made ‘because they have done well in prison’ when the Parole Board knew ‘the reality of the level of violence’ Sophie had been subjected to.

Herbert, who became eligible for release in February, will be subject to restrictions on his movements, where he lives and who he contacts.