Stephen Lawrence Murder: Gary Dobson And David Norris Sentenced To 15 And 14 Years

Stephen Lawrence Killers Dobson And Norris Sentenced

Gary Dobson and David Norris, the two men convicted of killing black teenager Stephen Lawrence, have been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months and 14 years and three months respectively.

Both men were sentenced as juveniles by the judge at the Old Bailey in London on Wednesday as they were 17 and 16 when they committed the crime.

A man in the public gallery, reported to be Gary Dobson's father, shouted "shame on all of you" as the sentences were read out.

Following the sentencing Stephen Lawrence's father Neville called for the two men to give up information on the other people involved in his son's death.

"One of my greatest hopes is that these people have now realised that they have been found out, and they are now going to go and lie down in their beds and think that they were not the only ones who were responsible for the death of my son," he said.

Mother Doreen, who described the verdicts on Tuesday as "no cause for celebration" said she was "grateful" for the sentences despite them being "low".

"It's a beginning I think of starting a new life, we've been in limbo for so long," she said adding she would try and "take control" of her life again.

Justice Treacy said the murder was a "terrible and evil crime" and that it was committed for "no other reason that racial hatred".

"A totally innocent 18-year-old youth on the threshold of a promising life was brutally cut down in the street in front of eye witnesses by a racist, thuggish gang.

"You were both members of that gang. I have no doubt at all that you fully subscribed to its views and attitudes," he said.

Justice Treacy said the evidence did not prove that either defendant had a knife, but it was used with their knowledge or approval, Sky News reported from the court.

Dobson, 36, and Norris, 35, were found guilty at the Old Bailey in London on Tuesday, nearly 19 years after Lawrence was killed.

The 18-year-old was fatally stabbed by a gang of white youths in a racist attack at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London in 1993.

Scotland Yard Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said police were still hunting the other people involved and warned they "should not rest easily in their beds".

Former Met deputy assistant commissioner and current Lib Dem London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick said "many lessons have been learnt" from the case but added there was" much more to be done before all Londoners have trust and confidence in the police".

Following Tuesday's verdicts the lawyer for Neville Lawrence said on his behalf: "I am full of joy and relief that today, finally, two of my son's killers have been convicted for his murder."

"I'm also conscious of the fact that there were five or six attackers that night. I do not think I'll be able to rest until they are all brought to justice."

The original investigation into the murder came under criticism by a public inquiry, which branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist.

More than a decade later, after successful convictions in cold cases including Damilola Taylor, a team of forensic scientists was called in to look again at the Stephen Lawrence evidence.

They discovered tiny amounts of blood, hair and fibres on clothing seized from Dobson and Norris' homes, which led to a successful prosecution.

The pair insisted on their innocence during the trial and as the verdicts were read out.

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