Sophie Lancaster's tragic mum died from haemorrhage after rare surgery complication

A brave mother who dedicated her life to campaigning for change after her daughter was viciously murdered in a park in Bacup 15 years ago died as a result of a rare complication following essential surgery, just weeks after one of her daughter's killers was set free.

Sylvia Lancaster, who had been living in Rochdale before her tragic death, devoted her life to campaigning against hate and intolerance after her daughter Sophie was assaulted in Stubbylee Park in the early hours of August 11, 2007 by a gang of drunken teens for the way she was dressed.

The 20-year-old was brutally kicked and stamped on as she tried to protect boyfriend Robert Maltby when the pair were attacked over their gothic appearance. She remained in hospital for almost two weeks, before Sylvia had to make the heartbreaking decision to take her child off life support, after doctors said the young woman had no chance of survival. She died 20 minutes later.

READ MORE: Nurse allegedly murdered 'resilient' baby girl after fourth attempt before sending parents sympathy card, trial hears

An inquest at Blackburn Old Town Hall this afternoon, October 12, heard that Rawtenstall-born Sylvia died aged 69 at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital on the morning of April 12 this year after she developed sudden and unexpected catastrophic bleeding, according to our sister paper LancsLive.

The court heard how the mum, who was described doctors as "lovely" and "always smiling", had suffered from peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, and had had to have her right leg amputated in 2018. She returned to hospital for further surgery in December last year, due to suffering gangrene in her left foot.

Area Coroner Richard Taylor said: “When she went back into hospital