Youths in court over park attack

Sophie was attacked while in the park with her boyfriend

Three Lancashire youths have appeared in court charged with murdering a 20-year-old woman in a park.

Sophie Lancaster was walking through Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Lancashire, with her boyfriend Robert Maltby when the pair were attacked on on 11 August.

Ms Lancaster was left with serious head and facial injuries and died on 24 August after falling into a coma.

Two boys aged 15 and 16 from Shawforth, and a 17-year-old from Bacup were bailed by Burnley magistrates.

Two other youths, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, are due to appear in court later.

The five had initially been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent but the count was changed to murder following a review by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Ms Lancaster's 21-year-old boyfriend was also left in a coma with bleeding on the brain following the attack but is now believed to be recovering from his injuries.