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The boy convicted today of kicking a girl to death was 15-year-old Brendan Harris who decided to beat 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster in a peaceful park in the northern county of Lancashire, whilst she walked with her boyfriend, Robert Maltby. He survived the brutal attack. Four others were also found guilty of assault, which happened in August of last year.

Miss Lancaster had died of severe head injuries.

This week, a jury at Preston Crown Court found Harris guilty of murder along with Ryan Herbert, a 16-year-old friend who was also involved in the unprovoked attack on the couple. The judge had decided to lift the publication ban which had been in place to protect the identity of the boys involved.

One of the boys said that he only hit Mr Maltby in the face, and it was the rest of the gang who started to beat the pair. Thankfully, there had been a number of witnesses, all between the ages of 14 and 17, who had stepped forward and told the authorities that Harris had been in the middle of the attack, stamping on Miss Lancaster as she lay on the ground.

The court listened to the evidence of the case and heard the reasons behind the attack - the boys targeted the couple simply because the looked different.

As her Miss Lancaster's mother wept in court, she said,

"I am convinced Sophie was killed simply because of the way she looked."

Both Harris and Herbert pleaded guilty to the charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Miss Lancaster and assault to Mr Maltby.

Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of the murdered girl, said that it was a sad day when her daughter died as it cast a shadow over the state of the young society today where it seems to be acceptable amongst youths to beat, and even kill one another, simply because they do not like the way they dress.

She said in a statement outside of court,

"First, obviously, I have lost an adoring and adorable daughter. She was intelligent, brave, courageous and had a social conscience beyond her years. Her death has also ruined the lives of those responsible as well as the lives of their families. On a wider scale it is a tragedy for a society which in the past has prided itself on its tolerance. I am convinced Sophie was killed simply because of the way she looked. She did not necessarily conform to the ideals of those who took her life."

Leading the investigation for the Lancashire police force was Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who stood in praise for the young witnesses who came forward and spoke up for the assaulted couple. These teenagers also came to the rescue after the attack. Some ran to get help, and others tried to nurse the wounded pair.

"This attack was senseless, brutal, vicious and, in my opinion, very cowardly. However, three other youngsters did do the right thing, staying behind and contacting the emergency services and rendering first aid, and they gave evidence under a lot of pressure. They showed a great deal of courage."

If you would like to read more about the Gothic culture and it's modern history, then please use this link here - It will give you an insight as to how these youngsters see the world and what makes them become Goth.

Back in the early '80s, I was a Goth and so were most of my friends. We were peace loving and just enjoyed wearing a lot of black and listening to certain rock music. There are certain myths about Goths and many should be dispelled. They are just different and like many fashions and ideas, they should be allowed to be so.