A 15-year-old boy in the UK has been found guilty of murder after he kicked a woman to death because she was a ‘Goth’.
Brendan Harris was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of killing Sophie Lancaster after she was attacked in a park in Burnley, Lancashire, last August.
The 20-year-old gap year student had been with her boyfriend Robert Maltby when a group of youngsters set upon him in an unprovoked attack.
She begged them to stop, but was kicked and punched too. The pair were left unconscious.
Ms Lancaster's injuries were described as so bad that it was difficult at first to tell what sex she was.
The jury heard the couple were attacked because they were wearing black ‘Goth’ clothing.
Mr Maltby, 21, survived, but Ms Lancaster died from serious head injuries two weeks after the incident.
Harris pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Maltby, but had denied attacking Ms Lancaster.
Another youth, Ryan Herbert, 16, had earlier pleaded guilty to the murder of Ms Lancaster and causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Maltby.
A judge lifted a ban on identification of the two.
Three other males, two aged 17 and one 16, who still cannot be named, also admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Maltby. Murder charges against the three were withdrawn.
Harris and the others are due to be sentenced on 28 April.
