One of the two killers of Sophie Lancaster is set to be freed from prison, 15 years after he launched a horrifying attack on her.
The parole board decided on March 16 decided that one of Sophie's murderers can be released on licence.
Sophie and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were attacked at a park in Bacup on August 11, 2007. The couple were beaten up so badly that when paramedics arrived they could not tell if they were male or female, Manchester Evening News writes.
The woman, 20, was placed on a life-support machine and had the shape of a footprint on her head. She tragically died from her injuries in hospital almost two weeks later, on August 24.
The parole board has now decided that Ryan Herbert, who was 16 at the time, can be released on licence. The board found that he had made "significant changes to his life which reflected his remorse, his insight and increased maturity".
Herbert was 16 when he was handed a life sentence after admitting to murdering the 20-year-old. Sophie died from her injuries after being viciously beaten as she cradled Robert Maltby’s head in her lap in 2007.
He also pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Maltby. Herbert was given a minimum term of 16 years and three months – later reduced to 15-and-a-half years on appeal.
In 2020, Herbert, of Bacup, Lancashire, had his tariff cut to 14-and-a-half years. At the time, a High Court judge concluded he had made “exceptional progress” in jail.
“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,” a document setting out today's decision said.
Brendan Harris, who was found guilty of Sophie’s murder in 2008 and admitted the attack on Mr Maltby, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years. He, Herbert and four other teenage boys “savagely and mercilessly attacked” Mr Maltby in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, during the early hours of August 11 2007.
Gap-year student Sophie rushed to help her boyfriend as he lay unconscious and shouted at his attackers to leave him alone. Herbert and Harris then turned on her, subjecting her to a “sustained and vicious attack” which involved her head being kicked and stamped on until she too lost consciousness.
Sophie never regained consciousness and died in hospital 14 days later.
It appeared the couple were attacked because they looked and dressed differently. Herbert later told people there were “two moshers nearly dead” in the park, according to court hearings.
At the time of his crimes Herbert had 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.
After being moved into an open prison in November 2020, he “improved his education with studies to degree level” and had “fully engaged with resettlement activities” including spending time on temporary release from jail. He had a job and there was “positive feedback about his work”.
The document added: “No concerns about compliance had been identified and Mr Herbert had good working relationships with professional staff.”
Witnesses, including his probation officer, recommended he be released on licence. Herbert, who became eligible for release in February, will be subject to restrictions on his movements, where he lives and who he contacts.
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