Murderers get life - Judge says it was a "Hate Crime"

The sentenancing can be summed up as follows.Brendan Harris and Ryan Herbert were both 15 at the time of the murder in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, on 11 August 2007. Harris was senteced to life with a tariff of 18 years and Herbert was sentenced to life with a tariff of 16 years.
Daniel Mallet, Joseph Hulme and Danny Hulme pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Maltby. Mallett was jailed for four years and four months and the Hulme brothers to five years and 10 months each.

Plenty of news coverage:

Boys sentenced over Goth murder BBC News,
Sophie Lancaster's 'goth killers' receive life sentences NME.com,
'Feral thugs' jailed for murder of 'Goth' student Sophie Lancaster Times Online

The statement by the Judge is important:

Passing sentence Judge Anthony Russell QC said: "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. This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it. 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."... Mr Maltby still bears physical and emotional scars from the attack...

Judge Russell said both victims were totally innocent, and described the goth community as "perfectly peaceful law-abiding people who pose no threat to anybody". He added: "The intolerance you displayed in this case is shocking evidence of the attitudes of some of our people. "I am satisfied having heard all the
evidence there was an intention by each of you to inflict severe pain and suffering.

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

He described Sophie as a caring young woman who wrote poetry and read books and had charmed many people. "Her tragic fate has touched many hearts," he added.

Feral' teenagers jailed for murdering Goth Telegraph.co.uk

Meanwhile in a Crown Prosecution Service statement they say:

"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.
"There is no doubt that Brendan Harris and Ryan Herbert
attacked Miss Lancaster and Mr Maltby simply because the couple were Goths and
dressed differently. We believe this is unacceptable and the prosecution made it
clear that Miss Lancaster and Mr Maltby were singled out not for anything they
said or did but because of their dress.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/131_08.html

Manwhile in Whitby the bench was officialy opened with a massive crowd:

A CROWD of more than 500 people gathered on the West Cliff on Saturday, together with the heartbroken mother of murdered goth Sophie Lancaster, to celebrate her life... Sophie's mum Sylvia told the Whitby Gazette she was amazed at the sheer
number of people who attended the weekend's ceremony led by Ade Varney, a goth
who is campaigning to include offences against people based on their appearance
or subcultural interests in the definition of hate crime.She told the Whitby
Gazette: "I was just amazed."It was just wonderful really."So many people had
taken that time out to come and remember. I didn't really expect that."The
support has been amazing and not just from this country but worldwide."Ade
Varney led the service."He read a poem and talked about what went on and talked
about the campaign."Mrs Lancaster said Whitby Gothic Weekend is a lesson for how
people should treat each other."Sophie was always very interested in Whitby from
a young age."She used to read Graham Taylor's books."You can just be yourself
and that's what it's about."We went to the goth ball on Saturday night and
people actually didn't know who I was."We went dead straight. They were just
brilliant with us. We chatted and all the rest of it."It would be wonderful if
that atmosphere could be spread. There's no reason why it can't."What we are
trying to do with the S.O.P.H.I.E campaign is to raise awareness in young people
to treat people with respect."It's about what you are. It's not what you look
like, it doesn't mean anything."Hopefully we are going to highlight specific
differences and show young people are all the same under their skin."Mrs
Lancaster said she plans to return to Whitby for the next gothic weekend with
her husband John in October.As Sophie's killers were due to be sentenced she
said whatever sentence they get it will never be enough.The plaque on the bench
reads: "In memory of Sophie Lancaster 26th November 1986 – 24th August 2007 – an angel too soon." Mum pays tribute to Sophie Lancaster after Whitby Goth Weekend Whitby Today, 29 April 2008

In Basingstoke a Sophi festival gets a good review:
REVIEW: SOPHIE weekender at The Great Western this is hampshire.net

And in Newcastle another gig:
PROG rock band STRANGERS IN POLAROIDS will be at the Head of Steam ...ChronicleLive, UK - 23 Apr 2008

Two major papers focus on SOPHIE

Been away. So back with lots to note. Important coverage in two leading broadsheets:

Goths' blackest day
guardian.co.uk, UK - 25 Apr 2008

On the social networking site Bebo, there's a group called grungers-should-die,
which sets out its mission statement as follows: "Join this band if u think
grungers / goth should die ... tell us some story about u bashing some
grungers."
On the comment wall, a girl has obliged: "fuckin bashed a grunger
the uva day innit."
Over on Myspace, there is a profile for a group called
SOPHIE, illustrated with a photograph of a smiling young woman with dreadlocks
and facial piercings, wearing a vest with a skeleton on it.
She is Sophie
Lancaster, the 20-year-old beaten to death by two teenage boys in a park in
Lancashire last summer. Sophie died because of the way she looked. She was
killed trying to protect her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, who had already been
knocked unconscious by the boys.
She wasn't into labels, but others described
her as a goth, or a grunger. The girl who called 999 about the attack said the
couple were "bashed" for being "moshers". The site is a memorial to her short
life, and aims "to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society"....

They visit the WndyHouse in Leeds and intrview loads of people including Sophie's mum and the famous Goth Bus couple.

Manwhile at The Times Richard Morrison's article advises donaing to SOPHIE:
Whitby Gothic Weekend is a lesson in British tolerance
Times Online, UK - 25 Apr 2008

They are an endearing bunch. In spite of their strenuous efforts to project
themselves as Satanic ghouls, corpse-botherers and insatiable transsexual
deviants, it's quite clear that none would harm a fly. Indeed, one main function
of Whitby Gothic Weekend is to be a confidence-boosting tribal gathering for
people who are often targets of abuse or worse in their own towns.
That
mutual support is needed, after the murder last year of Sophie Lancaster. She
was the 20-year-old kicked to death by teenagers when she came to the aid of her
boyfriend, who was being beaten up. The thugs, it seems, picked on them just
because they were dressed as Goths. By all accounts Sophie was a caring girl who
simply wanted to express her individuality by dressing the way she did - a
quintessential Goth, in other words. Unfortunately she ran into a different sort
of tribe: a gang of feral youths, bereft of morality or conscience, who
inflicted violence for fun - and whose supporters sniggered at the dead girl's
mother in the subsequent court proceedings.
So in Whitby at 11.30am today,
as the centrepiece of Gothic Weekend, a memorial bench will be dedicated to
Sophie, who attended several Whitby gatherings. Donations from Goths have paid
for it. But I'd like to commend a separate fund, set up by her family and
friends. Called SOPHIE, meaning Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance
Everywhere, it will use donations to further those laudable aims. See
www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie for details.
We talk a lot, usually
disapprovingly, about “tribal mentality”. But after 50,000 years it's probably
too deeply ingrained in the human psyche to be erased. Instead, we should be
encouraging young people to gravitate to tribes that bring joy to themselves
without harming or antagonising others. The Whitby Gothic Weekend is the epitome
of that. The Goths have fun and supply a bizarre three-day fashion parade, the
townsfolk smile benignly, and the pubs do a roaring trade. That's Britain at its
tolerant best.

NME covers Sophie plus Whitby Memorial

We got mentioned in an excellent article in the NME which highlighted the problems.

Following the murder of Sophie Lancaster, NME focuses on the dangers associated with subcultures. From mods to MCR, what is the resolution behind this subjective abuse? Gavin Haynes investigates.

Whitby Memorial ceremony details:





Plus there are plans for a coach from Whitby to the sentencing at the trial. Or if you are near Preston you can go separately .

On Monday 28th April 2008 the Sophie Lancaster hearing reaches it's conclusion. The sentencing takes place of Ryan Herbert and Brendan Harris, found guilty of her murder.

The family have asked for support and the plan is to hold a silent vigil outside the court, no shouting, no placards or banners, just a silent gathering of alternative people, a dignified protest and a show of defiance and strength.

If anyone would like to be a part of this then a coach trip is being arranged, leaving Whitby in the morning, and then returning later that day in time for the evenings festivities. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact martin oldgoth via www.thirteen13.co.uk with your name and email contact so that we can gauge the numbers.

At this point in time we have no idea of cost, but it will be kept to a minimum. All you will need to do to secure your place is to visit the info stall before midnight on the saturday and pay your fare.

Car sharing is also encouraged, and anyone not going to Whitby but able to make it is also welcome

Article in the Sunday Times on public violence mentions Sophie:

Too scared to stop the violence
Times Online, UK - 12 Apr 2008

A tribute to Sophie - Whitby Today

The tribute bench has now been in place for a few weeks quality article in Whitby Gazette has more pictures there are plans for a dedicaion ceremony at the April Whitby Gohic Weekend:

A tribute to Sophie - Whitby Today

The memorial bench erected on West Cliff in memory of Sophie Lancaster. Pausing a thought for Sophie are, from left, Whitbys Fiona Clewlow, Mike Edwards and Glenis Edwards

A MEMORIAL bench to commemorate a tragic young goth woman who was killed last year has been placed in Whitby thanks to the efforts of generous fund-raisers.

The bench in honour of Sophie Lancaster, who died following an incident in a play park in Bacup in East Lancashire, has been placed on the West Cliff.

It follows the generosity of both Whitby residents and goth visitors who raised almost £3,000 for the memorial bench.

Five youths have been charged with murder in relation to Sophie's death and a trial is due to take place in Lancashire, where Sophie (20) was from, on 10 March.

Sophie was a regular visitor to the Whitby Gothic Weekend and the goth community in Whitby have really taken her to their hearts.

The official unveiling of Sophie's bench will take place at the next gothic weekend in April and Sophie's mother, Sylvia, is planning to visit the town to personally thank everybody who helped get the memorial bench in place.

She told the Gazette: "The support from the goth community in Whitby has been very comforting.

"It is lovely to know that Sophie's memory lives on in Whitby because she really used to enjoy spending time there."

The plaque on the bench reads: "In memory of Sophie Lancaster 26th November 1986 – 24th August 2007 – an angel too soon."

Not only does the bench mean a lot to those who knew Sophie, but for others the memory is also significant.

Martin Coles aka DJ Martin Oldgoth, who helped to organised last year's fund-raising, said: "I'm really pleased to see the photos of the bench now that it's finally in place, and am looking forward to April when I can sit there, stare out to sea and just spare a few moments thinking of someone that I never met, but who had such an impact on me."

Ade Varney and Joolz Hyland of Blinding Horror Monster FX ran a special make-up lab workshop at the last gothic weekend to raise money for Sophie's bench.

They told the Gazette: "I know the vast majority of our supporters were deeply affected by this tragedy and they bowled us over with their loyalty and generosity towards the family Sophie left behind."

A campaign entitled S.O.P.H.I.E. (Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) has been started by Sophie's friends and family following her death.

It has so far raised more than £6,000 and special wrist bands will be on sale at April's gothic weekend to boost the coffers.

Whitby man Mike Edwards said Sophie was an intelligent young woman with a bright future ahead of her.

He added: "The awful events of Sophie had a devastating effect on people far beyond the reaches of those that knew her.

"As one of the group of goths from Whitby which travelled to her funeral to pay our respects, I can say it was a heartbreaking, yet peaceful experience.

"She was proud to be a goth – one of us – and we are a close-knit group of people.

"Goths and goth bands across the world have paid tribute to her, and the bench is our tribute to her in what we considered to be probably the most fitting location for a goth memorial.

"We have always been so grateful for the warm welcome we have received in Whitby and now Sophie can rest in peace and safety in the town that loves goths rather than wanting to destroy them."

* A website has been set up for Sophie in which people can pay their own tributes to her and see how fund-raising is going.
Go to: www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie

You can also buy a special S.O.P.H.I.E. wristband from Pandemonium in Flowergate – they cost £1 and all proceeds go straight to the campaign.

Police to probe mystery goth weekend e-mail - Whitby Today

Police to probe mystery goth weekend e-mail - Whitby Today

• 11 December 2007
• Source: Whitby Gazette

WHITBY Gothic Weekend organisers have called in police after what they believe is a smear campaign which aims to drive the event away from town.

Jo Hampshire, who with her husband Sam Hoyle, run the twice yearly event from their home in Sneaton, alerted the Whitby Gazette to a mysterious email sent to four of Whitby's borough councillors as well as high-ranking council officials.

Couns Jane Kenyon, Joe Plant, Peter Booth and Mike Ward, as well as chief executive Jim Dillon and tourism and leisure services chief Steve Hollingworth, all received the e-mail.

Claiming to be from an Ian G Patterson of Fylingthorpe, the message centres around a conversation the writer claims to have overheard in the Duke of York pub in Church Street, Whitby, where it is alleged Mrs Hampshire and three friends were discussing the future of the gothic weekend.

In that conversation it is claimed they slated Scarborough Council in a row over money that the council says it is owed by the gothic weekend organisers and suggested Mrs Hampshire would refuse to pay up.

The e-mail further alleges the manager of Whitby Pavilion, Jill Gomez-Manion, and sales and marketing assistant manager Jaclyn Goddard, also came in for criticism during the conversation.

And it claims the writer's wife spoke to a barmaid at the pub, who apologised for the rowdiness and told her the woman was Mrs Hampshire.

Couns Kenyon and Ward got in touch with Ian Patterson of Fylingthorpe – the only Patterson listed in the phone book – to thank him for his comments and observations. But Mr Patterson, chairman of governors at Eskdale School, was quick to point out the email was not from him.

And when contacted by the Whitby Gazette in relation to the mysterious email, Mr Patterson, who runs a management consultancy firm in Fylingthorpe, confirmed it was nothing to do with him. He is unaware of the existence of the Ian G Patterson the email is purported to be from – as are the various Whitby Gazette contacts who were quizzed in and around the village.

The Gazette has also sent an email to the Yahoo address the original email came from and is awaiting a reply. Scarborough Council has also tried to contact Ian G Patterson but without success.

Landlord of the Duke of York, Lawrie Bradley, as well as all his staff, deny the alleged conversation involving Mrs Hampshire ever happened in their pub. Mr Hoyle told the Whitby Gazette he is angry at the accusations in the email – and has forwarded the matter to police in a bid to get to the bottom of the mystery.

He said: "They should be able to work with Yahoo to find out where this email has come from and I would like to think it will come to light very soon.

"I have spoken to Mr Patterson in Fylingthorpe, who is a friend of my family, and he is disgusted that someone is using his name in this manner and is willing to help police in any inquiries.

"We were not in town at the time of this conversation in the Duke of York so do not understand the 'facts' of this e-mail either. We have a hard enough job to organise the event without this sort of thing happening – it is as if someone is out to get us.

"We want the event to stay in Whitby – if we didn't want it to we could have gone to Scarborough by now where we could save thousands of pounds."

Mr Hoyle did admit he is in dispute with Scarborough Council over some money they say is still outstanding which is supposed to be being paid back through the council keeping back tickets for the event to sell itself. But he added he meets regularly with council officials to iron out this and any other problems and that all parties are working together to find a solution.

Steve Hollingworth, Scarborough Council's chief of tourism and leisure, who said he was aware of the e-mail which was being investigated, told the Gazette: "We want to maintain the gothic weekend in Whitby for the long term and want to work with the organisers to sort out any problems to ensure the success of the festival around the town."

Attack story – a complaint - Whitby Today

Attack story – a complaint - Whitby Today:

"From: Leona Cowap, Falcon Terrace, Whitby

I am writing to complain about the story “Thugs tore of my ears”, which was on the front page of Friday 2 November’s paper. I was extremely disappointed to read that they were not actually his real ears. I find the headline very misleading as I thought there had been a really quite serious attack. I agree it wasn’t very nice of the ‘attackers’ to push him about and swear at him but I wonder if I am the only person in Whitby who found “They ripped the bald cap and false ears, tore them to pieces and stamped on them” actually quite hilarious. Also, I know if Stuart had been unfortunate enough to have his real ears ripped off in the centre of Leeds on a Saturday evening it probably wouldn’t have even made it into the paper, let alone front page. 08 November 2007 "

See original story here:
Goth's ears ripped off by thugs - Have YOUR say on...

Policing Whitby

There are already concerns with policing in Whitby and this weekend saw a large increase in police presence but still a goth was assaulted as mrntioned here:

Goth's ears ripped off by thugs - Have YOUR say on this story - Whitby Today

The police were watching large groups of goths who were gathered harmlessly rather than doing anything useful like patrolling more widely where lone goths might be attacked.

Concerns on goth policing
# 02 November 2007
# Source: Whitby Gazette Friday
By Staff Copy
http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/goth/Concerns-on-goth-policing.3424708.jp

FEARS have been raised the goths could be "driven out of town" due to a heightened police presence and restrictions over capacity over the weekend, despite no arrests being made.
During the weekend the police were called to just two incidents – the first for a minor dispute at Whitby Pavilion on Saturday afternoon and another at the same venue later that evening when a reveller was ejected for being drunk and disorderly.

And the Resolution Hotel had to stop serving alcohol for half an hour because of the number of people in there. But The Met manager, Karen Turnbull, said on Sunday night three police vans, one with CCTV equipment, were waiting outside at kicking out time despite there being no trouble.

She said: “I think it was totally unnecessary. Obviously we need the police but we keep to our capacity of one in and one out and we have door staff on. I wish I could have the goths every weekend. I think the presence of the police was ridiculous – we have more problems at weddings. They bring so much money going to drive them away if they are not careful.

“I think it’s such a shame. The Goths are such lovely people.

In all the time I’ve been here and that’s five years we’ve never had a bit of bother.”

And Kate Sutton a member of a film crew covering Goth Weekend for www.penkat.com also criticised the policing of the event when on Saturday night the Resolution Hotel - one of the main venues which hosts Goth bands and events - was told to stop serving alcohol at around 10.30pm on the grounds that it was overcrowded.

But she said it was no busier than any pub on a Friday or Saturday night and the Goths cannot do right for wrong with them being told to keep inside, due to problems with people spilling into Flowergate. She said Scarborough Council are trying to drive the Goths out and do not appear to want to keep the event, which brings in hundreds of thousands of pounds to the local economy, in Whitby.

Whitby Goth Weekend promoter, Sam Hoyle said the police presence is purely a numbers game and said he hopes to work more closely with them in the future. He said there was definitely a stronger police presence than in previous years which probably wasn’t necessary but he understood they have to do things “by the book.”

“It’s quite intimidating to the type of customer we attract, although not to me personally,” said Mr Hoyle. I’ve certainly not seen extra police drafted in for a Goth weekend in the past. If they feel they need more police that’s completely down to them.”

Andy Skelton, Scarborough Council's head of environmental health services said during their visit to the Res by police, firefighters and council officers it was noted that the premises were overcrowded, possibly to a dangerous extent.

“The licensee, Mr Dale, sought advice from the senior fire officer attending and voluntarily determined that he would cease to serve alcohol and
that was an end to the matter,” he said.

Sergeant Steve Pearse of Whitby police said: “"There was in increased police presence and a lot of officers on patrol, simply because of the increase in the number of people in the town over the weekend. But I would again like to emphasise the exemplary conduct of all the visitors to Whitby. The Goth weekend passed by peacefully and, as is often the case, everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. I would like to thank the Goths again for their responsible and respectful attitude and their general good behaviour. I look forward to welcoming them back next time."

Whitby Goth Weekend organisers are introducing a new wristband system this April after the building reached its full capacity, despite tickets not selling out.

People on the guest list were accomodated in a separate function room downstairs so everyone could be allowed entry.

If those Police were in Whitby they were off the streets in Scarborough/Middlesborough or somewhere else where they were actually needed or they were being paid overtime. Particularly ironic as North Yorkshire police are facing a massive budget cut:

MP to fight £10 million police 'cut' - Scarborough Today

Bobbies lose perk of their free boots - Scarborough Today

In fact they are so strapped for cash they can’t afford to provide boots for their officers. Perhaps a goth boot fund for the police should be organized to donate used DMs/New Rocks… at least then the three van loads of police will fit in a bit better.. of course there are other things they could be doing see recent crimes in Scarborough like this:

Lead theft: organised gang fear - COMMENT ON THIS STORY

Whitby Jo had some very interesting comments on this issue:

It was a bit of a strange one though

We had our first ever Gothic Shoplifters (say it in the manner of Peter Kay a la Garlic Bread) which Whitby police sent TWO transit vans to the Spa for (must have been a quiet afternoon)

We had TWO episodes of Goth violence at the Spa on Saturday night
The first involving someone who couldn:t get in (he had hoped to be on a bands guest list but wasnt) and threw a bottle through the window by the cloakroom
The second being a very intoxicated person (in a throwing up inside the venue kind of way) getting very upset on being asked to leave who consequently assaulted three bouncers and got himself arrested

And not forgetting what i can only describe as slightly heavy handed tactics by the licencing dept of Scarborough Council on Flowergate with Uncle Len at the Elsinore and at the Little A I appreciate there are laws to be adhered to and even why those laws are in place but it seems a little strange after thirteen years that they are enforcing capacity limits on the two pubs where it all started

I do hope that the same treatment will be given to the pubs and venues in town during the summer season

We asked for a meeting between the council and police about this matter and the meeting and subsequent decisions were all made without the input of either ourselves or the landlords concerned apparentely it would have been a "waste of time" to invite us!!!!!

This article from the Gazette seems to indicate it will hopefully be better by next year:

And a meeting is planned in the next couple of weeks with licensing officers, police and the fire service, licensees, highways and the borough council to work towards a solution for the problems in Flowergate where in the past people have gathered
outside the pubs to drink in the streets.

Last weekend doorstaff were on hand at the Resolution Hotel, the Elsinore and Little Angel who restricted the number of people allowed into premises to prevent them exceeding their capacity. Mr Hoyle said they had tried to seek a road closure for the latest event but he said the council had dragged its feet.

"Next April will see big changes and there willl be no repeat of the situation in Flowergate.

"Although it doesn't actually affect us the Elsinore and the Little Angel are the original home of Whitby Gothic Weekend and we feel we owe them for helping us get to where we are today. If it wasn't for them it would have fallen away a long time ago.

"We are doing our best to work towards a solution for April."

This increasing policing and admin hassle for the event has been discussed before see the post :

Whitby policing and street blockage April onwards

‘I can bury my Sophie at last’ - News - Rossendale Free Press

‘I can bury my Sophie at last’ - News - Rossendale Free Press:

Heartbroken Sylvia, from Haslingden, had been warned back in September that it could be next year before she could hold her 20-year-old daughter’s final farewell.

But after finally getting the green light from the coroner, she is now planning for the funeral to be held on Monday, 12 November at 11am at Whitworth Civic Hall, with arrangements by Whitworth funeral director Frank Duffy.

It will be a humanist celebration of her life, led by Mrs Sue Davis, and friends of the former Haslingden High School pupil are invited to speak at the service to share their memories...

A memorial fund has been set up by Sophie’s family; it aims to provide a lasting legacy to raise awareness of other people’s cultures and to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society.

Donations can be made directly into the fund account at the Halifax in Bank Street, Rawtenstall (number 00458724); black memorial ribbons are also on sale from outlets across the Valley.

Black ribbon roses were sold at the Whitby Goth Festival last weekend in memory of Sophie Lancaster to erect a memorial bench and plaque there.

Goth's ears ripped off by thugs - Have YOUR say on this story - Whitby Today

Goth's ears ripped off by thugs - Have YOUR say on this story - Whitby Today:

* Published Date: 02 November 2007
* Source: Whitby Gazette Friday
* Location: Whitby

By Alex Fredman

A GOTH dressed as a vampire who had been raising cash for charity over goth weekend has been assaulted by a mob of up to seven men on the West Cliff.
Stuart Dearing (33) from Leeds had been to the Monster Lab at Whitby's Resolution Hotel and had been made up to look like Nosferatu, a vampire immortalised in a 1920s film.

The event was being held to raise cash for a memorial bench and plaque in memory of goth, Sophie Lancaster (20) from Lancashire who died after being attacked by a gang of yobs in August in Bacup. Her boyfriend Robert Maltby (21) suffered serious injuries.

Stuart had been walking along John Street at 7.45pm on Saturday and was returning to his guest house in Normanby Terrace before heading up to the Pavilion.

Earlier in the day, wearing his prosthetic make-up, Stuart had been collecting money for a charity for deaf and blind people. He said he stepped to the side of the men, who were in their early twenties, to pass them, but the gang started swearing at him. They ripped the bald cap and prosthetic false ears he was wearing which had been glued onto his head, tore them into pieces, stamped on them, pushed him about and swore at him.

"It was like a pack of wolves," said Stuart. "It's just senseless. They were laughing their heads off. It did hurt a little bit but its more my pride that was hurt."

Stuart, who has been coming to Whitby Gothic Weekend
for 10 years, reported the incident to police the next day but was shocked at their response. There was no CCTV and no witnesses. The police said they can't do anything. I've never experienced anything like this but it's not going to ruin it for me."

Promoter of Whitby Goth Weekend Sam Hoyle said he was shocked and saddened at the mindless attack.

To comment on this story, follow the instructions to register as a user and make a comment.
"It's such a shame there's a small minded attitude still. I think it's a one-off."

Sgt Steve Pearse of Whitby Police said: "It is disappointing as a police officer and also as a local resident that, what would appear to be local people, have reacted to a visitor in this way. We will treat the incident with all the seriousness it deserves and I would ask anybody who can shed any light on this matter to contact (0845) 6060247."

Sophie's memory to live on - Whitby Today

Sophie's memory to live on - Whitby Today

The goth and Gazette teams mark a minute's applause in tribute to Sophie before the football match

GENEROUS fund-raisers over Whitby Gothic Weekend have raised almost £3,000 to pay for a bench and plaque in memory of a goth girl who died in August.

It was hoped £1,600 could be raised in memory of Sophie Lancaster (20) from Lancashire who died following an incident in a play park, while her boyfriend, Robert Maltby (21) was left fighting for his life.

But generous Whitby fund-raisers have exceeded expectations and collected a staggering £2,800 over the weekend.

A stall was set up in the Pavilion selling small black ribbon roses in Sophie's memory and any funds left over will be pledged to reforestation schemes in the UK to plant trees in her memory.

A goth teddy bear was also raffled off at Sexy Sunday at The Met and Justin Coope from the Chocolate Box in Church Street helped to organise raffle prizes including many donated by local businesses which raised £474.

Martin Coles aka DJ Martin Oldgoth who helped organise the fund-raising said he wanted to stay a big thank you to everyone who donated money.

He said: "I've had a fantastic weekend as ever but even more so from seeing not only the goth and alternative communities come together in the face of something so tragic, but from the generosity of the town that for most of us is a second home

and the Whitby Gazette which has helped publicise the collection and done so much for us over the years.

"People have been incredible. Meeting Sophie's mum on Sunday was a special moment, such a strong woman in the face of something so terrible and I'm glad we've helped to do something positive for the memory of her daughter."

Mr Coles said it is hoped the bench will be in place in December and he is planning a formal ceremony to take place at next year's gothic weekend in April.

A minute's applause was held for Sophie before the Whitby Gazette versus the Goths football match on Sunday.

And a raffle after the football, organised by Diana Campbell, raised £180 for St Catherine's Whitby Day Hospice.

If you want to leave your own personal tribute to Sophie or comment on the fund-raising efforts, you can do so by registering and following the instructions to register as a user.

Last Updated: 02 November 2007 1:13 PM

Halloween - Hearing in Sophie Lancaster case today

First hearing in case today and a number of vigils for Sophie are occuring. If you are going out tonight why not remember her.

Whitby fund raises £2818.92. Congratulations to everyone who helped and Martin Oldgoth for organising it. Why not help break the 3000 mark see how you can donate here:

http://www.insanitorium.co.uk/news.htm

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=1

Whitby Goth Weekend

Whitby Goth weekend was dedicated to the memory of Sophie Lancaster and had a variety of events held in her memory.

Town showing little sign of losing its goth appeal - Whitby Today:

"Throughout the weekend a number of fund-raising events will be held to raise money for a memorial bench to murdered goth Sophie Lancaster. A specially created teddy bear will be raffled at Sexy Sunday at the Met after being created by bear artist Kathryn Vardy, who was deeply touched by Sophie’s tragic story. The bear is called Sophie, she is made of mohair and has been scissor sculpted and hand shaded to add more character. She is wearing a little headdress of black and red feathers, black diamantes and a black and red bow, this is stitched on so it can’t fall off. She is also wearing a black knitted shawl which is fastened with a pretty red enamel brooch and is valued at �160 and it is hoped double that will be raised. A minute’s silence for Sophie will also be observed before a Whitby Gazette side takes on a goth team up at the Turnbull Ground on Sunday at 2pm."

Sophie - Teddy Bear: Special hand made Teddy Bear: "I have made her in memory of Sophie Lancaster, who died at the age of 20 on 24th August 2007. She and her boyfriend (Robert Maltby, 21) were attacked by five boys aged 15 & 17 in Stubylee Park in Bacup. I am donating Sophie to Whitby Gothic Weekend. We will be holding her raffle at Sexy Sunday in the Metropole at midnight."

Whitby policing and street blockage April onwards

The recent trouble in Blackburn is just one part of an unsympathetic attitude from some in authority. After the last Whitby weekend there was a storm of protest about Scarborough councils unsympathetic approach despite the vast profits the council and town receive. It is almost as if they don't want the festival despite its success. They seem keen for it to go to Scarborough. See the letters and articles collected here from the excelleny goth friendly http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/:

Warning to street drinkers as Gothic Weekend looms

# 24 April 2007
# Source: Whitby Gazette Tuesday


By Staff Copy
WITH the first Gothic Weekend just days away, concerns have once again been raised about people drinking in the streets.
In past years people drinking in Flowergate has become an habitual problem with hundreds standing in the road, causing problems for motorists and emergency services.

The Whitby Designated Public Place Order gives police the powers to seize drinks off people who have them outside and even issue fixed penalty notices.

Insp Pete Morgan of Whitby police said: "We will be closely monitoring the situation in the town and in Flowergate and decide whether any action will need to be taken in the future to address the problem.

"We have plans in place for the forthcoming weekend which we have been working on."

Earlier in the week Insp Morgan speaking at the Police and Community Liaison Group told members of the public it was the responsibility of the licencees to ensure their customers were not drinking outside and they were working with their full co-operation.

He said: "People should not be allowed out in the street with a glass because it could be
used as a weapon."

Under law, licensees found to be in breach of their licence by not controlling their customers can face a review of their licence in severe cases.

The two Gothic Weekends every year bring in thousands of visitors to the town, which leads to a boom for the local economy.

Some of the biggest bands of the scene will be playing over two nights at the Pavilion, with three acts from America performing for the first time this year.

"Preparations are well under way at the Pavilion and I am sure at other venues throughout the town," said Steve Hollingworth, Scarborough Council's head of tourism and leisure.

"There are still some tickets left at the Pavilion but these are selling fast and we would advise anybody who still wants tickets not to wait until the night.

"This is a very important event for the town and we look forward to welcoming the Goths this year."


Goth weekend organiser vows to keep it in town
* 04 May 2007
* Source: Whitby Gazette Friday
* Location: Whitby

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By Staff Copy
ORGANISERS of the town's bi-annual gothic weekend have vowed to keep the popular event in Whitby despite suggestions to switch it to Scarborough Council's Spa Complex.
Sam Hoyle said he thinks the council only seems interested in Scarborough and are not prepared to consider increasing Whitby Pavilion’s capacity or address a lot of other issues they have.

And he said it has been suggested on numerous occasions with the council that Scarborough Spa would be able to cope with an increase in numbers.

Mr Hoyle said: “It wouldn’t work.

“No-one would come. Whitby’s Whitby. They don’t understand that.

“They are trying to make things as difficult as possible but we will fight to keep it here.”

Problems arose at last October’s gothic weekend when a problem with forgeries left revellers unable to get into the Pavilion.

Scarborough Council decided to take on the printing of the tickets in-house but Mr Hoyle said the failure to issue tickets in time meant they lost money.

He said tickets arrived around a month later than normal meaning many of the tickets which they send on to outside sellers in shops around the country were sent out later than expected and they couldn’t sell them in time.

“We ended up actually losing money from this,” he said.

“The pavilion were supposed to be selling tickets for us but they didn’t sell their quota.

“When we asked for the tickets they hadn’t sold back, they said only if you buy them back. They’re our tickets.

“I feel very let down by Scarborough Council because they won’t knock any money off our bill.”

Meanwhile, Mr Hoyle said the police have told him the event had gone without a hitch.

He said he is currently in talks with Insp Pete Morgan from Whitby police and health and safety officers from Scarborough Council about what they can do about the problems with the Elsinore and Little Angel pubs where last October there were issues with crowds of people drinking in Flowergate.

He said: “The landlords were asked to try and stop people from drinking on the streets which I believe happened.

“Although it wasn’t a sell-out it was absolutely brilliant.



Unfriendly and petty officialdom ruined popular weekend for town

# 18 May 2007
Source: Whitby Gazette Friday

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By Staff Copy
From: Jim Mandeville, Wellingborough, Northants.
ALONG with friends, I paid one of my regular visits to Whitby.

We were all delighted to find it was a Goth weekend, as usual colourful and great fun with friendly people.

Like other non-Goths, we appreciate the atmosphere the weekend creates in the town and know the event will be trouble fee. So what were the police and Scarborough Council thinking of?

To our horror, we found a police van complete with surveillance camera camped at the top of Flowergate on Saturday night.

We also heard council officials were also doing their best to put a dampener on the party.

If I
may make a suggestion to both the police and council it is this.

The Goths are a valuable asset to Whitby and while their visit may pose some logistical problems the answer is not to clamp down but to look for solutions to make the event go well.

Be welcoming – you will find the traders are already adept at this and some consultation with them would surely produce workable solutions.

For Flowergate in particular, the authorities do not seem to appreciate this has become a favourite evening venue for Goths and therefore work to encourage it. Why not suspend parking for the evenings of Goth weekend and even close the road to other than residents and emergency vehicles.

Simply, let’s see the authorities work with the organisers and traders to encourage the weekend and not to present the unfriendly face of petty officialdom we were unfortunately subjected to on this occasion.


Street would not be used by the goths to 'party'

By June R Whisson
From: June R Whisson, Upgang Lane, Whitby
thank you for printing my letter in the 17 May edition of the Gazette but I feel the headline highlighting the letter was misleading.

To suggest my request to close the top end of Flowergate from Skinner Street to Brunswick Street to enable the goths to ‘party’ suggests to the uninitiated there is likely to be some rowdy behaviour.

This, you and I both know, is not the case.

The reason the goths like to congregate in that area is to meet old friends, make new ones and to show off their outfits, be it sometimes bizarre but always tasteful and often expensive.

They then party as you suggest, when they go to the Pavilion or The Met.

Whitby benefits from the visitors who come to the town because the goths are here and like to see them having a good time as well as admire their outfits.

There is no loutish behaviour, no smashing of windows, just a group of like-minded people enjoying themselves.

I also know many local people who although are not goths, use the weekend as an excuse to dress up like them.
Last Updated: 05 June 2007 12:58 PM

Disgusted at the attitude to the gothic weekend

* 08 June 2007
* Source: Whitby Gazette Friday
* Location: Whitby


From: S Davis, Bagdale, Whitby
REGARDING the comments about Whitby Gothic Weekend by J Whisson and J Mandeville.

We agree with all said by the above.

My partner and I have lived in Whitby for several years and always looked forward to, and thoroughly enjoy, the goth weekends.

The atmosphere is wonderful, as are the people.

Why is it the authorities, recently, seem to have a downer on the goths, who are no trouble and bring lots of fun and revenue to the town?

Are the powers-that-be shooting themselves in the foot or, (not wanting to sound cynical) has it something to do with the organisers being approached with the view to moving the event to Scarborough?

It appears, anything that is successful in Whitby, especially financially, is a potential target.

Whoever organised this over-the-top officialdom will, no doubt, sleep easy knowing the event was disappointing to goths, visitors who came especially to see the event, local people and businesses.

We are disgusted with the authorities’ attitude to this unique event which, incidentally, made national television last year.



Moving the goths was 'naive and ill-advised'

* 15 June 2007
* Source: Whitby Gazette Friday
* Location: Whitby

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By Staff Copy
From: Julian Kynaston, Hillside, Robin Hoods Bay
Throughout my time as chairman of one of the UK’s leading marketing and PR consultancies I have acted as an adviser for a number of towns and cities looking to improve their reputation and national standing.

I have experienced at first hand the importance of personality and being unique and the difficulties when neither exists.

It is therefore ironic Scarborough Council sees fit to rip apart a key element of Whitby’s personality and heritage with its nonsensical suggestions for the Whitby Gothic Weekend.

Their decision this year to purge goths from the streets outside the Little Angel and the Elsinore public houses was naive and ill-advised.

The Whitby Gothic Weekend attracts thousands of people, many of whom travel from all over the world.

As well as the obvious commercial and charitable benefits, it provides Whitby with a cultural richness, and the friendly interaction between the goths, the locals and those who just come to witness the event.

In my mind it is a huge factor in Whitby’s recent renaissance and was a key part of the criteria which led to the town being voted Britain’s top seaside resort by the magazine Holiday Which? last year.

The Whitby Gothic Weekend is a phenomenon which should not and cannot be realistically corralled or moulded.

The council would do well to serve as a passive and grateful supporter, protecting and assisting both the organisers of the festival and the visiting goths themselves.

Officially closing off the street as suggested in a recent letter to the Gazette, would be a good starting point.

And, of course the recent muting of moving the festival to Scarborough is ridiculous.

It’s just plain wrong, unless the council is happy to gloss over the rather major fact in Stoker’s book Dracula the Demeter actually landed in Whitby.

Do they think thousands of goths just randomly selected Whitby as a convenient place to meet?

Perhaps we should encourage the Bronte Museum to be re-housed in Sheffield and maybe Magna could move to Bradford, what with its strong steel heritage. Whitby provides the cultural relevance of the festival, so to move it would put the entire event at risk, and threaten an essential revenue stream for many businesses in the area.

Above all, the gothic weekend provides Whitby with global recognition.

It is an asset which much bigger towns and cities in the UK, who are all battling regeneration and renaissance issues, can only dream of. It is extraordinary Scarborough Council could even consider meddling with its formula.

This is a decision which is dictated by misguided commercialism, but above all, cultural ignorance.

As for holding it in Scarborough, two points – read the book. And secondly, no goths would go.

It’s that simple.

I can’t bury My Sophie: Sophie Lancaster Update

Sophie remains unburied for legal reasons as the trial approaches. Memorial fund in Sophie’s honour launched by friends and family which aims to fight similar violence. The special fund to be known as S.O.P.H.I.E stands for "S tamp O ut P rejudice H atred (and) I ntolerance E verywhere" aiming to "provide an appropriate memorial; a lasting legacy to raise awareness of the injustice perpetrated against Sophie Lancaster and to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society."

There is now an official Sophie Myspace page :

Myspace "In Memory of Sophie" - Official memorial site for Sophie Lancaster created by her family and friends

Sophie Lancaster Memorial Book

http://www.legacy.com/TheRossendaleFreePress/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=93459606

Sophie Tribute Unites A Town

12 hour Memorial concert was held in Bacup on the weekend with 10 bands. Local football club donates proceedings of match to S.O.P.H.I.E fund. The local townsfolk have really pulled together to express horror at this vicious attack.

Police investigation rules out further arrests [scroll down]

POLICE are not expecting to make any further arrests in relation to the attack on Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby.

Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who has headed up the investigation from the start, said: 'I have been encouraged by the amount of people who have come forward with information and I am grateful for the positive reporting we have received.

'We have spoken to in excess of 100 people in the course of this inquiry and many of those people were young people and of course there are criteria to interviewing and speaking to young people.

'During the night of 10 August into the early hours of 11 August there were probably 15-20 young people in the park at various times. However, not all of them were present during the attack.

'The park is a meeting place and, during the night, children come and go.

'We are not looking at making any further arrests. I am very grateful for the help we have received and since this incident we have had a lot of support from members of the community and that is good.'

The police originally were looking for a further more people who were present during the attack as well as the 5 already under arrest. The next stage in the court process is October 18^th.

Whitby

October Whitby Gothic Weekend is to be dedicated to Sophie’s honour. She visited there in October 2005 with Rob. A collection organised from numerous local goth nights as well as at Whitby has been coordinated by Martin Oldgoth of Insanitorium to arrange a bench in her honour at Whitby. Good article in the goth friendly Whitby Gazette:
”An information stall will be set up in the Pavilion over the weekend of 26 October where small black ribbon roses will be sold to be worn in her memory, and donations accepted to help pay for a memorial bench and plaque to be installed.”

Contact Martin Oldgoth to contribute to the Whitby bench fund

http://www.insanitorium.co.uk/news.htm

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=1359736&blogID=312260861

The list of other Memorial events includes:

Charnel House in Newcastle Upon Tyne (6th Oct)

Eccentrik Festival North Carolina USA (Oct 12.07 - Oct 14.07)

The Coven (Luton) October 13th

Dominion in Dublin 13th of October

Faith and the Muse/Beauty of Gemina/Razorblade Kisses gig in London (14th Oct)

B-Movie in London (12th Oct)

Dr Fells and Dr Fells Live in Basingstoke (19th/20th October) are now holding collections.

Misery Of Sound- Blackpool 19th October- SCREAMING BANSHEE AIRCREW + PSYDOLL [japan] + PINK HEARSE

Mas - Cambridge Friday 26th October

Whitby Gothic Weekend Fri 26th - Sat 27th October

3 Nov 2007 14:00 The Sir Charles Napier Memorial Concert @ Blackburn

23 Nov 2007 19:00 ’Make A Noise’ punk gig, Accrington

24 Nov 2007 19:00 Metal gig night at the Adelphi , Accrington

25 Nov 2007 19:00 Sophie Lancaster Memorial Concert @ St Mary’s Chambers Rawenstall

Jazz night at the Jolly Sailor in Waterfoot on 25 November