Stephen Lawrence murder. Verdict: guilty

[HedleyLamarr]

From the BBC, Dobson and Norris both found guilty of murder.

The sentences handed down are longer than expected, which is a good thing. They will be targets for black prisoners, which is regrettable but understandable: their attitude to race and the fact they indiscriminately stabbed two young black men make this inevitable.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Doreen and Neville Lawrence for the dignified manner they have acted throughout since the murder of their son. Doreen should've been Woman Of The Year many times over.

MyChildDoesntNeedSleepAtXmas

I believe the annual total has been about 600 - 700 for many years.

The undercover footage of these racist bastards 'fooling around' at home was truly shocking.

Poor Stephen Lawrence and his family... I'm glad (partial) justice has at last been done.

I think the sentences are about as long as the judge could get away with as they had to be sentenced as juveniles and couldn't be given longer than the maximum they could have got at the time.

and, he would have been aware of not providing grounds for appeal, and so poss. resulting in shorter sentences.

Is there an offence 'witholding information' or something? Even 'obstructing police'? They could be charged for not identifying the others?

Such a shame that they can't be sent to Jamaica to do their prison sentance.

Molly It's in the Commonwealth and their judicial system is ultimately governed by UK, so it should be possible. It really should. Shouldn't it?

Can we have a whip round for their air fare then? The further, the better.

Can we get a campaign started via Mumsnet for them to serve their sentances in a Jamaican prison. I trust that they would really enjoy it there !!

In a Jamaican prison? WTF, Why?

And why are so many people relishing the idea of anyone taking vigilante action, especially on racial grounds? Does that take this whole sorry mess further forward? Would that be a fitting legacy for the dignified work of the Lawrence family?

Do you know that his attackers in Belmarsh were black? The Norris family seem to have been iinvolved in numerous SE / Kent drug, gun, petty crime, fraud and trafficking crimes. Or he could just have pissed someone off in the breakfast queue.

The Norris and Dobson families have lived in full view of a sizable black community in S London for nearly 2 decades and not been asassinated. I fond it v distasteful for Mn-ers to hope to see black people demean themselves and risk additional sentence in a vigilante attack in pursuit of prisoners somehow vicariously carrying out your own vengeance for blood. It may well happen, who knows, but to hope for it is a shameful lack of respect for the Lawrence's quest for the proper channels to do the right thing.

It has been reported that the prison attack was carried out by a group calling themselves the Muslim boys.

I wouldn't relish an attack at all

I think it shows how scared people are of the Acourts and the drug dealing dad of Norris to have not had a go at these people
We all now there are gangs rife in London
They must be fearful especially the ones still free
One changed his surname, one tried to be rejoiced, but if they have been physically attacked I haven't heard

re housed

They find it hard to hold down jobs because of their notoriety

They must have a shite life anyway

The will be eligible for parole after 14 and 15 years.

Eligible for parole normally involves co-operating with the judicial system, showing remorse, admitting guilt and so on. Does this put pressure on them I wonder to 'co-operate' with the police, if they want to stand any chance of the earliest possible parole?

Indieskies Great post!

I agree with IndieSkies wholeheartedly.

Emulate the Lawrences and society will be improved a little bit for everyone. Emulate Norris/Dobson types corrupts society just that tiny little bit more.

IndieSkies I don't think many are hoping they get attacked. I myself do not relish that at all, but due to their attitude towards race think it regrettable yet inevitable.

Thank god at least two of that gang are locked up. They've had 18 years of freedom having taken away the life, love, aspirations and freedom of a young man and his family.

Long may they rot.

I hope the others involved feel the heat now and I hope they can be brought to justice as well.

The BBC are reporting that new evidence has come to light and quote the police as saying that the remaining gang members "should not rest easily in their beds".

The wheel of Justice is slowly turning. Hopefully it will not be long untill the other people/persons involved in this sorry event will be bought to book. All right minded people will already know that a person cannot/should not be hurt, abused or murdered solely on the basis of the colour of their skin, and those that do not should take note. R.i.p Stephen.

I was happy to hear this verdict...BUT just wondering if there is anyone in the know here; Norris and Dobson are still claiming to be innocent, and one the fathers said 'shame on you', Dobson said he was innocent. On what basis are they claiming to be innocent; are they saying they weren't there that night, or that they didn't murder Stephen Lawrence? I don't understand how they claim to be innocent...anyone know??

As I understand they claim their "innocence" basis that they did not actually stick the knife in. However, there is a law that says that where the gang acts as one it doesn't matter who actually delivered the final blow, all in the gang are culpable.

Oh I see...so they were there that night though...and they're still protecting those who may have physically murdered Stephen.....god the poor parents (of Stepehn), they will suffer for their whole lives

Make no mistake - they have murdered him.

"Mr Justice Treacy described the murder as a "terrible and evil crime", committed "for no other reason than racial hatred".

Sentencing the pair, he said: "A totally innocent 18-year-old youth on the threshold of a promising life was brutally cut down in the street 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 added that while Dobson and Norris may not have wielded the knife that killed Stephen, it was used with their "knowledge and approval". And neither had shown the "slightest regret or remorse".

The judge also said their racist beliefs and lust for violence were confirmed by "disgusting and shocking scenes" captured on a covert police surveillance video filmed in Dobson's Eltham flat.

It showed gang members spouting racist comments and playing with knives