Sophie Lancaster's killer has jail term reduced for making 'exceptional progress'

One of the killers of student Sophie Lancaster, who was attacked in a park along with her boyfriend because they were dressed as Goths, has had his minimum jail term reduced by one year.

Ryan Herbert was just 16 when he was handed a life sentence after he admitted murdering the 20-year-old, who died from her injuries after being viciously beaten as she cradled Robert Maltby's head in her lap in 2007.

He also admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Maltby and was given a minimum term of 16 years and three months - later reduced to 15-and-a-half years on appeal.

Herbert, now 28, of Bacup, Lancashire, had his tariff cut to 14-and-a-half years on Monday, as a High Court judge concluded he has made "exceptional progress" in jail.

A previous attempt by Herbert to have his minimum term reduced was rejected in 2016.

But Mr Justice William Davis said evidence from professionals at HMP Warren Hill, Suffolk, where Herbert has been since May 2017, indicates he has significantly improved since the earlier review.

The judge said he also received a letter from the directors of the Learning Together programme, based at the University of Cambridge, where Herbert has taken a law course which involves inmates and university students working together.

He said Herbert has taken on a mentoring role, has designed and delivered new sessions as part of the course, and was described in the letter as "one of the most reliable, sensitive and conscientious students" on the programme.

The judge said: "The way in which Herbert has developed since his arrival at HMP Warren Hill some two-and-a-half years ago does amount to exceptional progress.

"The way in which he is described by the senior staff at that establishment goes significantly beyond what would be expected of any inmate making good progress."

The decision means Herbert will now be eligible to apply for parole in February 2022 - although he will not be released until the Parole Board is satisfied he no longer poses a danger to the public.

Brendan Harris, who was found guilty of Miss Lancaster's murder at Preston Crown Court in March 2008 and admitted the attack on Mr Maltby, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.

A judge who carried out a review of his tariff in January concluded he had not made enough progress to have his sentence reduced.

Herbert and Harris, then aged 15, and four other teenage boys "savagely and mercilessly attacked" Mr Maltby in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, during the early hours of August 11, 2007.