Its like I'm back in Amarillo, Tx in 1997. The only think I can say is at least this time the perpetrators were sentenced to something.

Ivy Bressler, Denton, Tx, USA

I can't stand these stereotypes these days. I wish Sophie's family and friends and boyfriend all the best in the future...don't be afraid to be yourself...18 years is not enough for those buggers...it should be longer...Give them the pain that they gave to Sophie and her boyfriend.

Hazel, Berkshire, UK

what a world we live in,we wont forget sophie,or what she stood for, god bless

stephanie foley, edinburgh, scotlandmy thoughts are

This is one of the most tragic quotes I have read! "Now I have regressed to being something similar to a child. I really just like to think I’m now only eight months old. I’m finding the whole world a terrifying place.” I feel for Sophie and her family and friends. My heart goes out to them!

Georgina, Birmingham, England

Regardless of the country, or the locale such ignornant, uncaring behavior needs to be treated exactly the same the world over. If you take a life, then your own life should be forfeit, save if it's in self defense. This clearly was cold blooded murder. Let them receive, what they dealt out.

Dennis, Philadelphia, USA

The death penalty is not a deterrant?? It sure would deter those two from doing something like this again -- rather than saddling the taxpayers with their food and lodging and medical expenses. That almost seems like a reward!

~Angie, Chicago, USA

This isn't justice at all, 18 years in prison at the tax payers expense is hardly punishment for the crimes they commited. Britain is too concerned with being politically correct to do the right thing and reintroduce the death penalty. It sickens me to think these monsters have gotten off so lightly

Rinkya, Birmingham, UK

These feral thugs need to be PUT DOWN like rabid dogs. Their parents should be jailed too. Their lives have no purpose other than to cause pain. Our laws do not reflect the justice that the nation wants - these scum need to be eradicated.

Paul, Oxford, UK

i only have one word .......... why ?

wendy, adelaide , south australia

scumbags bring back the death penalty for idots like these getting beaten to death for wearing alternative cloathing rot in hell
my fealings go out to her family an boyfreind R.I.P sophie

TANK, wallasey,

What an absolute disgrace. I sometimes think that the parents should be brought to trial alongside their spawn for crimes such as these. The Government needs to act quickly, the whole nation lives in fear of hoodlums running wild on our streets.

Claire, Warrington, UK

This breaks my heart,this poor young girl who's life is ended in such a shocking way.
I feel that the killers deserve a much longer sentence.

Irene Boothroyd, Holmfirth,

I live in this area, and the sentance that was given out is no deterent. I dare you to walk out in this area dressed differrently, or just to walk home by yourself after 10pm at the weekend. It's like Beiruit on a good night.

Mr Vincent Eyes., Bacup, England

too angry and sick feeling to even write.just got back from rio de janeiro which is meant to be a "dangerous place". not compared to this country it isn't. we all see horrific "chav" scum like this on street corners every day. there should be no place for them in a modern society. arm the police.

james, london,

As an expat Brit living in China, I'm appalled to read news of what Britain is like nowadays. The last paragraph says it all: trash bringing more trash into the UK. Government should focus on the basic human rights issue -- that Britain is not safe anymore.

william, Beijing, China

The fact that Harris' mother was laughing and joking during the first interview shows exactly where the blame lies in his case. Det Supt Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Police, has criticised some of the parents of the boys involved, saying their attitude had been "appalling".

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

No, the way to deal with this savagery is not to seek to match it or outdo it. "Life" must mean precisely that. No society should be asked to reintegrate these sub-human creatures after this barbarism. Take a life, spend your life in prison. No exceptions.

Emmet, Derry, N.IRE

No, we should not seek to match such barbarism or even to surpass it with our punishments as a society. "Life" has to mean life. No society should be asked to reintegrate those who carry out such sub-human acts. Take a life - spend your life in prison, the law should live up to its own words.

Emmet, Derry, N.IRE

The death penalty is not a deterrent. Long sentences remove those from society who unfortunately are unable to enhance it. How can we emphasise the sanctity of life by the threat of death?

A.Avery, London,

It's not enough that these young men will spend 'most of their yound adult life in prison' - When they're released, they'll still be young enough to re-offend. It's time the UK reintroduced the death penalty!!!!!

steve ex pat Brit, white river, south africa

"“Harris and Herbert will now spend most of their young adult life in prison,” he said."

Plenty of time to rebuild it afterwards, and no doubt we taxpayers will generously assist that process.

How about a stout length of hessian and the law of gravity instead?

Oh no, that's so "barbaric".

David L Nilsson, London, England

Perhaps I don't understand the journalists understanding of the phrase 'jailed for life'...

D. Griffing, Naples, Long Beach, USA

This story sickens me, as a 17 year old, I hate the idea that I could be beaten to death for something as trivial as the way I dress. The lack of understanding is resulting in murders such as this. We need to respect each other for who we are, not how we dress, or what music we listen to.

Dean Robertson, Kirkwall, UK