Sophie Lancaster was beaten to death by a mob because she tried to save her boyfriend from a vicious attack. They were targeted for being dressed like goths.

From Sky news:

The mother of a young Goth who was beaten to death because of the way she dressed, has helped create an animated film of her final moments, as part of a plea for tolerance of others.
Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were set upon by a gang in a park in Bacup, Rossendale in August 2007, because of the way they looked.

Sophie died tried to protect Robert.

The haunting animation is being launched on what would have been her 23rd birthday.

"It's really, really important to me that people see this film," Sophie's mother Sylvia Lancaster told Sky News online.

"People focus on me and it's not about that. It's about getting the message of tolerance across.

"I want people to see how wrong it was and what a waste it was.

"I want them to think twice before they commit acts of violence."



Sophie, 20, was killed by a gang

The film, called 'Sophie: A Dark Angel', shows Sophie and Robert walking through the park and charts both the horrific attack and its aftermath.

It ends with a plea from Sophie's mother to stop similar crimes from happening again.

Two teenagers, Ryan Herbert and Brendan Harris, were convicted of her murder at a trial in Preston last year.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, set up in her memory, is trying to raise awareness of hate crimes, and Sophie's mother has been involved in making the film from the very beginning.

"It was finished last Friday so I had the weekend to watch it and try and desensitise myself," she said.

"I felt quite upset seeing it for the first time.

"It is difficult to distance yourself."

The film was commissioned by the cosmetics firm Illamasqua which has launched a make-up range in support of the foundation.

It will be shown on a loop on a giant projector outside Manchester cathedral from 7pm to 11pm tonight, and broadcast internationally on MTV.