Sophie Lancaster hate crime film to premiere

The premiere of a short animated film depicting a brutal attack on a woman kicked to death for being a goth will take place today on what would have been her 23rd birthday.

Sophie Lancaster, 20, was killed by two youths who repeatedly stamped and kicked her head as she lay defenceless, just because of the way she was dressed.

The student was set upon as she cradled her boyfriend, fellow goth Robert Maltby, who was also attacked in a park in Bacup, Lancashire, in August 2007.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, set up in her memory, will tonight launch the haunting and thought-provoking two-minute movie with one overriding message - tolerance.

Sophie: A Dark Angel will be projected on a big screen in Manchester's Cathedral Gardens, a favourite meeting place in the city for goths.

The film was commissioned by make-up brand Ilamsqua which has supported the foundation through the sales of SOPHIE (Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) black eye pencils and the charity's wristbands. It will also be shown internationally on music channels MTV1 and MTV2.

The band Portishead have also given their backing by allowing the free use of their song Roads for the movie's soundtrack.

Miss Lancaster's mother Sylvia, who will officially launch tonight's event, said: "The film is a chilling and dramatic reminder of how prejudice, hatred and intolerance can destroy lives.

"It has been created as a reminder to all people to stop, and think twice, before judging, insulting, abusing or attacking someone - purely based on how they look."

Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, were sentenced at Preston Crown Court in April 2008 to life imprisonment for Miss Lancaster's murder.

Brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme, 17 and 16, and Daniel Mallet, 17, were also jailed for the prior assault on Mr Maltby.

Sentencing them all, Judge Anthony Russell QC said: "This was a hate crime against these completely harmless people targeted because their appearance was different to yours."

:: The film can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/sophiefoundation