Sophie Lancaster trial judge leaves £5k in his will to foundation in her name

A judge who presided over the shocking murder case of Sophie Lancaster in 2008 left money in his will to a foundation set up in her name.

In a case that shocked the country, Sophie's life was brutally ended just three months short of her 21st birthday. She was walking home through a park in Rossendale, Lancashire, on August 11, 2007, with her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, when they were taunted by a group of youths then attacked simply for how they looked.

They stamped on Sophie's head and kicked her. Robert was also left for dead in the sickening attack in Stubbylee Park. Sadly, Sophie died days later in hospital.

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Trial judge, His Honour Anthony Russell KC - who died aged 72 in August last year - said in his sentencing remarks that Sophie and Robert, who both identified as goths, were totally innocent and the only motive for the violence was because they looked different.

He blasted a 'hate crime' against 'completely harmless people targeted because of their appearance'.

After retiring Judge Russell, who was the Recorder of Preston at the time, said he thought about the case often and praised the dignity shown during the trial by Sophie's mum Sylvia Lancaster OBE, who passed away in April, 2022.

Now it's been revealed he left £5,000 to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation in his will.

In a Facebook post, the foundation said: "We wanted to share some touching and really amazing news about a donation that we have received. His Honour Anthony Russell QC, who presided over Sophie’s murder trial in 2008, passed away last summer and left a legacy of £5,000 to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in his will.

"When Sylvia died in 2022, we had some very thoughtful correspondence from Judge Russell, which included his memories of Sylvia and the trial, and which he gave us his permission to publish. Sylvia was forever grateful to Judge Russell for recognising Sophie’s murder as a hate crime and sentencing accordingly.

"He stated very clearly that no change in the law was needed to recognise alternative sub-culture hate crime and this recognition of an unmonitored strand of hate crime meant the world to Sylvia. Judge Russell’s legacy reflects his belief in the work that we do and we are honoured to have been remembered in this way.

"There's no more fitting way to end this than with the tribute Judge Russell wrote about Sylvia and we have included it again today. His personal qualities shine through in his writing. We owe him our thanks for so much. May he rest in peace."

Mrs Lancaster campaigned tirelessly following her daughter's murder, devoting her life to the foundation in Sophie's name which promotes tolerance and campaigns to stamp out prejudice.

Brendan Harris, of Stacksteads, was found guilty of Sophie’s murder after a trial and was sentenced to serve at least 18 years behind bars. Ryan Herbert, of Bacup, who admitted murder, received a minimum term of 16 years and three months’ detention. His tariff was later reduced.

They both admitted a GBH charge relating to Sophie's boyfriend Robert, for which they received a concurrent sentence of five years and 10 months.

Brothers Joseph Hulme and Danny Hulme, from Shawforth, also each got a minimum of five years and 10 months behind bars for the attack on Robert. Daniel Mallett, of Bacup, got a minimum of four years and four months. All five were teenagers at the time.