BAFTA win for Sophie film

CHRIS GEE A HIGHLY acclaimed drama documenting the murder of Sophie Lancaster has been honoured with a television BAFTA.

‘Murdered For Being Different’ won the accolade for ‘Best Single Drama’ at the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.

The hour-long drama, based entirely on factual events, was made to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Haslingden 20-year-old Sophie’s death after she was attacked in Stubbylee Park, Bacup in 2007.

The film was made in close collaboration with Rob Maltby, who was also badly injured in the attack, his family, Sophie’s family and the police investigating team.

Sophie’s mother Sylvia Lancaster, who went on to found The Sophie Lancaster Foundation which works to educate and lobby about hate crime issues surrounding subcultures, attended the awards, along with Rob, director Paul Andrew Williams and writer Nick Leather.

The film is described by the BBC, who commissioned it, as ‘the true story of a young relationship and of the violence and chaos that destroyed their lives, for simply being different’.

The film stars Abigail Lawrie as Sophie, Nico Mirallegro as Rob and Chanel Cresswell as DC Steph Farley.

Sylvia will give a talk about the work of the Foundation at Rossendale Museum on Thursday, May 24. She will be joined by Kate Conboy from the foundation, at the evening at the museum in Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall. The event has been organised by the Friends of Rossendale Museum. Admission for non members is £2 and the evening will begin at 7.30pm.