A MOTHER has been left devastated after the thug who killed her daughter in cold blood for looking like a goth is set to be released from jail.
Dr Sylvia Lancaster OBE, said the system “fails to deliver justice”, following the news that Ryan Herbert is to be released on licence, 15 years after he took part in the vicious murder of her daughter Sophie.
The anguished mum said that the original punishment handed out to Ryan Herbert reflected the “level of violence” her daughter was subjected to during a “feral” attack.
Herbert, from Lancashire, was just 16 when he was given a life sentence after admitting murdering the 20-year-old.
Sophie died from her injuries after being viciously beaten as she cradled boyfriend Robert Maltby’s head in her lap in 2007.
He also pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Robert and was given a minimum term of 16 years and three months – later reduced to 15-and-a-half years on appeal.
In 2020, Herbert had his sentence cut to 14-and-a-half years when a High Court judge concluded he had made “exceptional progress” in jail.
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The Parole Board stated he had made “significant changes to his life which reflected his remorse, his insight and increased maturity”.
“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 the decision said.
Syliva, who launched a foundation in her memory to stand against violence and prejudice said:
“However much progress people make in prison, they have been given their sentence in recognition of the extent of their crime.
“The judge at the murder trial described the attack on Sophie as “feral”, with the attackers’ behaviour “savage and merciless”.
“Her injuries were so severe, the paramedics attending the scene could not facially distinguish if she were male or female.
“How can you bear knowing the reality of the level of violence my daughter was subjected to, and stack that up against reducing the minimum tariff because they have done well in prison?
“However they have progressed, the minimum justice for the family is them serving the sentence they were given.
“Her attackers may not have been given a life sentence, but I have.”
Brendan Harris – another killer of Sophie – was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.
He, Herbert and four other teenage boys “savagely and mercilessly attacked” Robert in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, during the early hours of August 11 2007.
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.
Parole papers said that in the past, 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.
However, Herbert’s initial “poor behaviour” behind bars changed once he moved into an adult prison and took 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.
The document added: “No concerns about compliance had been identified and Mr Herbert had good working relationships with professional staff.”
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Witnesses, including his probation officer, recommended he be released on licence in February.
Herbert will be subject to restrictions on his movements, where he lives and who he contacts.
