His Honour Anthony Russell QC, who presided over Sophie’s murder trial in 2008, passed away last summer and left a legacy of £5000 to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in his will. When Sylvia died in 2022, we had some very thoughtful correspondence from Judge Russell, which included his memories of Sylvia and the trial, and which he gave us his permission to publish. Sylvia was forever grateful to Judge Russell for recognising Sophie’s murder as a hate crime and sentencing accordingly. He stated very clearly that no change in the law was needed to recognise alternative subculture hate crime and this recognition of an unmonitored strand of hate crime meant the world to Sylvia. Judge Russell’s legacy reflects his belief in the work that we do and we are honoured to have been remembered in this way.

There’s no more fitting way to end this than with the tribute Judge Russell wrote about Sylvia and we have included it again today. His personal qualities shine through in his writing. We owe him our thanks for so much. May he rest in peace.