Rob Maltby Talks About Life After The Attack | Murdered For Being Different 

Everybody mourns Sophie but let's not forget Rob. He has had to live with grief and brain injury and psychological trauma every day since.

the fact that rob managed to get through all of the grief and pain instead of letting it consume him really shows how strong he is as a person and I have a lot of respect for him because of that and he still manages to see the good in people

When he says her girlfriend's coffin just looked too small to contain her, even if she was quite short, and couldn't figure out why referring to how important she was to him, ho special to be confined to such a narrow space...I almost cried

He seems like such a sweet genuine human being, can't believe how senselessly cruel people can be

"People are more good than they are bad." That's just... wow...! If I had been through what he has been through, and my girlfriend had been brutally beaten up and murdered; I don't know if I had been able to keep such a loving and optimistic attitude towards other people in general after that...

I remember reading about this as a ten year old and still wear my S.O.P.H.I.E band wherever I go. Gone but not forgotten xx

Who would dislike this? How rude.

Poor Sophie, Poor Rob who has to live with this...You're strong Rob, and Sophie fought until the end of her life, beautiful people

no words can express how angry, hurt and sickened by what happened. 10 years on and i still think of these two. I remember all the S.O.P.H.I.E marches that took place, the police presence...why? why should we be afraid to be different? music should bring people together, not separate us into tiny little groups. S.O.P.H.I.E

Rest in Peace Sophie x

sick people live in this world😩

The Fact Rob is still here shows how much of a brave man he is

You are a very strong person, Rob. Thinking of you. I wish you the best for the future. Sophie will be proud of you. ❤

Rob and Sophie did NOTHING wrong, NOTHING to deserve what those monsters did to them. For simply being Goths, Sophie lost her life and Rob will now be haunted and have to live without her for the rest of his life. And that's just not fair.

'People are more good than they are bad'...what a lovely soul Rob is, to still be able to see that in the world after all he has had to go through.

after watching murdered for being different and seeing how much he loved her

Just wanted to say i met Sophie's brother Adam at bloodstock friday just been, lovely guy

So terribly saddened by what happened to these two beautiful people. May she rest in eternal peace and wonder, and all my very best wishes to Rob. I hope he forges forward in strength and light. Thank you for posting this interview.

I have followed the tragic story of Sophie and Rob since the attack and I have watched all the documentaries, and I have always wanted the best for Rob. He really does deserve a positive future. I am so glad to have seen how he is coping 10 years on. I cannot even begin to imagine what he has gone through, but I really do hope that he can move on to amazing things. I'm looking forward to his artwork. xXx

why? because they looked different ......I hate the world that I am forced to live in sometimes

This happened a year after I started high school so I don't remember it so clearly but when I watched the documentary "murdered for being different" it made me cry

Those monsters should never be have been let out of prison for what they did to Rob & Sophie, I know a couple of them are still behind bars but ALL of them should spend the rest of their miserable, insignificant lives locked up like the animals they are!

uhh i wanna cry now. this man is beautiful and i hope he lives a beautiful happy life because he’s very strong

Sophie was only 5ft 2inches tall.Cant even begin to fathom out the brutality.

So much bravery and strength, hope he's doing well today. RIP Sophie.

poor rob , sounds a really lovely guy , r.i.p. poor sophie xxxx . 💕💕❤

That poor man, I can't imagine the physical and mental pain he went through. ❤️

Just seen the film this year. I was so touched and broken. God bless Rob for the future and Sophie in heaven. They didnt deserve this

This is sad love goth people they're best people hang around with

i still have my S.O.P.H.I.E wristband from 8 years ago ❤️ RIP

God bless this poor man. Breaks my heart that this happened to him :(

I've not seen the movie & only stumbled across this story just yesterday. My heart breaks for this couple. How sick people can be towards each other is unbelievable. Please be kind to each other. Praying for you Rob. I truly wish you the absolute best in life. Thanks for sharing this interview.

Lots of people remember this story because of Sophie but no one remembers Rob, who has to live with this everyday for the rest of his life. Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in Peace, Sophie but I hope Rob can live in peace too 😭

It’s scary to think that people out there would kick someone to death for looking different

Absolutely exceptional artist. I can’t get over how emotive his work is. Moving on from what happened.... his work will inspire so many people. 🧡💙💚

honestly it just kills me inside. im glad he's able to be so positive and make the best of his life and future despite what he went through. i cant imagine how hard it must've been to lose her. i wish so badly that this never happened she should still be here. i cried so hard when i watched murdered for being different. i wonder if he's seen it himself and what he thought about it. if i were him i dont think i could do it. to almost re live it. see it play out from the outside. im glad he's doing ok though and congradulations getting a degree and doing what makes you happy rob. peace and good vibes. sophie is never forgotten.

Rob you are an incredible person. Im a drum and bass dj, so you could consider me on the 'other side' but im also an ex goth too. Nobody should ever have to go through this EVER. Id also like to tell you Rob, i cried through the entire film. You are a perfect very brave human being and im so so sorry for your loss. Rip Sophie xxxx

Sending you a hug, dude.

bless all who knew Sophie. & Rob. r.i.p. sophie

The people with different styles and looks are the best people to be friends with. They are so amazing and unique.

Bless you , I’m so sorry for what you and Sophie went through x

People keep mentioning the goth / alternative scene but you’re forgetting the vital message from this entire documentary & it’s horribly worrying?! This isn’t about a certain ‘scene’ you’re into, this is about being ‘different’ / standing out from societies ‘norms’ & how disgustingly unaccepting & cruel people are because of it. Acne, being short, too slim, too fat, being a goth - it doesn’t matter, the core message is acceptance, & to stop standing by & letting people continuously get ridiculed for not ‘fitting in’. I was overweight during my secondary school years due to health issues - I was taking steroid medication on & off throughout my teens, it made me balloon in weight (along with abuse at home / undiagnosed ED). I had a whole heap of friends, my best friend I nicknamed ‘pocket Rottweiler’, she was 5’2” & fiercely protective, but there were many instances that I was on my own & had the face the onslaught of not just my fellow peers, but grown arse men (nearly always men) shouting abuse / throwing hot coffee on me & spitting on me in the street. I did have a breakdown just before my 21st birthday & I spent nearly 4 years inside with agoraphobia. It’s not just the physical affects of being beaten or abused that stay with you, it’s more the emotional / mental - they never truly leave. My heart broke when I saw this documentary, it stayed with me for a very, very long time. I truly hope Rob is doing as well as can be all these years later, & was able to pursue his dreams of doing art. x

so sorry for what happened to you and Sophie - what a terrible trauma for you both - love to all of you - hopefully Rob you will salvage a good life here on in memory of Sophie and for yourself you deserve happiness. xxx

I hope everyone involved in this horrific crime is caught and is behind bars for life without parole and possibly the death penalty.

You’re an extremely strong individual ❤️

Much respect to you Rob ... you are an amaizing young man . Hope life is good to you from now on ... true .. we are not all bad .. love to you and hugs .. RIP sophie xxxx

I cry at no movies but I had to go up to my room after watching this. Amazing sad thought provoking

i’ve just watched this documentary and i am heart broken by the fact that the world is like this still after lots of incidents have happened and it’s just so upsetting to hear rob talk about it x

I’m from wales. When this happened I was staying in digs near Bacup. When I saw it on the news I really wanted to go find those lads and flatten them all with my car. Three of the five are out now. Sad world indeed.

Rob has been very brave and I'm glad he's managed to move on with his life and get his degree,he's had so much to cope with and I wish him well.... RIP Sophie x

Its not just hate crime that fuels tragic attacks like this, there are many types out there who use any excuse to vent their anger, frustration and sometimes sheer delight in hurting people. They take, for example, Goths to be different and therefore a legitimate target (in their own warped and senseless opinion) and will take pride as a gang member in showing they are up for it, by inflicting severe damage to another persons life. That it ended in death for Sophie does not seem to take away the determination of certain people to continue without remorse, the ongoing attacks aimed at anyone who is deemed to be a soft target, an attack that will have no repercussions as the victims are either outnumbered or weak and not aggressive. These types are cowards primarily and will always group together to inflict as much damage as they can en masse but on their own, each one would not even confront a potential victim without calling in their "mates". They are not primeval or feral, they are just brainless thugs who will probably end up extortionists and lifetime bullies. Hopefully they'll die young under their own sword before causing another tragedy. I live in hope. RIP Sophie.

Rob seems a very special person I admire him beyond words not appearing to be bitter or full of anger, that really is something beautiful Rest easy Sophie x

I'm so sorry♡ I hope you can live happily. We are glad you made it.

just watched this movie and my heart is broken. Prayers go out to Sophie's family and Rob. They did not deserve this.

All of my love to rob and Sophie RIP to a beautifully angel. Rob is a true worrior. Hands down rispect

I have a cousin who is a goth. They are truly awesome human beings. 😀 I was taught to accept people, for who they are, on the inside, and to never judge a book by its cover. I had a good teacher. My Mom. I'm so glad that I learned all of the good values that she instilled into me.❤

From across the pond, wishing you the best life.

I'm so sorry you met evil that night but you are a survivor and must live life for the two of you. Sophie would want you to be happy. 🙏

He seems like such a lovely young man, really hope he can have a wonderful life now. 💔💔

I'm emo, I hate when stuff happens like this. It's always norms. My heart was sad when I first heard this. 🖤😢🖤 my heart goes out to her. I pray she's in a better place, she didn't do anything wrong to deserve this. It's always "Norms" they think they are better than everyone.

To Robert Maltby, dear sir, I apologize for what those teenagers did to you and Sophie Lancaster, it wasn't your fault that it happened, it was those boys own fault that they were drunk.

So tragic, my heart goes out to Rob, how anyone deals with something like this is beyond my comprehension, I admire him, I hope he finds some peace, RIP Sophie.

To think I moved from round the corner to bacup park only a few years before this happened, couple of years younger than rob and was dabbling in ‘mosher’ type things at the time absolutely scares me to the core. This really could of been me. So so sad for this lad and what him and his girlfriend had to go through on that for awful night. The way he speaks is beautiful and is testament to s beautiful human being he is. Rest in peace Sophie… too good for this world.

Hope you are well Rob. I've prayed for you both . Paul 🙏 (Doncaster)

My heart really goes out to you Rob. I was reminded about this event from the song "We Are The Others" by Delain. Such a tragic thing to happen. To be attacked and die because you don't conform to what society considers normal ("normal" is something that doesn't exist). To think this happened only 5 years after the Gwen Araujo murder in California back in '02. To think that some people around the world didn't learn anything from it. Makes me sad that people can be so close minded just because someone is different. We are all different. RIP Sophie, may you find peace and love in heaven. :-(

Today, the murderer, Ryan Herbert, will be RELEASED and out walking free... "dEfInItEly ReHaBiLiTaTeD!" Feel so sorry for this poor, poor man.

Sos un ejemplo a seguir! Tu forma de pensar lo demuestra! Te deseo una vida plena que es lo que mereces

Sending love and best wishes to you Rob and to your family. 🖤💜🖤

To think those thugs will be back on the streets no justice in this country! R.I.P Sophie 🙏🏽❤️

Its awful because i saw them both around and i talked to them. I am currently in a goth faze and im scared to go out because of this.... i live near bacup...

I love different, different is amazing 🤍🤍🤍 there are some vile monsters on this planet. RIP angel 🦋🦋🌹🦋🦋

Bless you Rob your extremely brave I'm so sorry for what happened to you and your beautiful girlfriend Sophie I wish you all the happiness you so richly deserve god bless you and may Sophie be somewhere that is as close to sublime peace and bliss as possible

I watched the film when it came out, I remember this murder when it happened, it was one of the many defining moments for my generations. The film was one of the most hard hitting things I’ve ever seen, I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. The guys who murdered Sophie and nearly killed Rob are monsters

My heart goes out to this guy. What he went through was totally pointless. It didn't need to happen and I hope that the people behind their attacks are suffering, badly. They should be in prison for life, but knowing our justice system, I wouldn't be surprised if they were out now. Stay strong brother 🙏

Honestly disgusted this ever happened. My prayers are with all families that have to be put through such an injustice! Rob is amazing well done on how far and well you’ve done God bless you darling 🙏🏽❤️

Heart goes out to you and her family.

You're a very strong man.

13 years ago today, we won’t forget you Sophie xx

What a sad story , very sad,, I cried and I am still crying when I think at what happened to Robert and poor Sophie

That poor guy, this is despicable what happened to them both. Sophie losing her precious wee life and Rob left with the Trauma of what had happened. Good Luck Rob.. Thinking of Sophie’s family also. 💝

He sounds in denial poor dude this kinda trauma doesn’t go away. God Bless you Rob & Sophie & the families💖🦋

I just watched this and I broke down in tears

This is so sad I can't imagine, I'm lost for words 😥

The coffin is too small, she was a baby! All her life was taken! Rest in peace darling 💖 prayers for rob 💙

ROB, THE ARTIST

Such a heartbreaking story

I know it wouldn't help, but I wish I could give him a hug :(.

So sorry for this guy, and Sophie's family. I pray they all heal. The morons who did this terrible thing are scum.

Best of luck with your life Rob just watched a documentary on tv tonight about the attack on you and Sophie. You are an amazing young man. Sophie had a very special person in her life with you. How you have handled yourself shows how incredibly strong you are. Best of luck with your life

What a horrible horrible senseless crime for just being yourself. Just terrible 😢 I wish the best of health for Rob. God Bless and RIP Sophie 🙏❤️

I hope someone gets Brendan Harris when he gets out. The same for all of them.

I watched the story of them both last night my heart broke for them their familys and friends so horrific and senseless i wish him so much peace and love for the rest of his life and may beautiful Sophie continue to fly free and high forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ...

Watched the drama to Nite so sad.Acting was brilliant.

So sad, I can't get my head round how this could even happen

Such a strong human; I also appreciate his Zissou beanie~ 🖤😢

He spent 10 years after this Traumatic event to make something of himself which he successfully did, can't say the same for those who attacked him and his Girlfriend who deserve every second of prison time they get.

Even though Sophie is Gone she’s not suffering anymore but poor Rob has to live with this everyday he lost the love of his life and suffered brain damage what he went through he did not deserve

This was a horrible crime and Rob has to live with this being replayed in his mind, he will never forget...

this upset me so much

watching in 2020.. still super sad, i love goth/alt people; they are the nicest coolest people