A TEENAGE killer, who was given a three-year community rehabilitation order for manslaughter, appeared before Preston Crown Court this week for breaching the conditions of her sentence.
Sophie Holbrook, 17, admitted the breach but no action was taken - a decision blasted by the family of Holbrook's 34-year-old victim Ken Embley.
His mum, Marion Embley, of Charter Street, Accrington, said: "We are absolutely disgusted. Where is the justice in this country? We are not talking about a shoplifter here this is somebody who has taken someone's life. She was given a sentence, she didn't stick to it."
Holbrook was supposed to be under a night time curfew at an address outside the area but following a row with a relative returned to Hyndburn, where her mother lives. She failed to attend a pre-arranged appointment on 26 April and between 26 and 27 was not at her address.
Holbrook, formerly of Royds Street, Accrington, was 16 when she killed Mr Embley, a friend of her mothers, by plunging a knife into his neck.
Miss Julie Taylor, prosecuting for the Youth Offending Team said following the argument Holbrook had left her address but informed Securicor, who operated the electronic tagging scheme, and followed their advice.
She added: "Following advice from the Youth Offending Team, her solicitors and various other parties, she sensibly returned to her address out of the area."
Judge Anthony Russell QC said he was taking no further action in respect of the breach but warned her: "If you are brought back the chances are you will not be dealt with in this way. Steps will be taken to enforce the order by punishing you."
At the end of the case a woman shouted from the gallery "What does she have to do before she is locked up?" prompting a warning from the judge about behaviour in court.
