Murderer of Stephen Lawrence eventually admits involvement but not before denying two major things

It's been 32 years since the horrifying murder of who was killed on his way home from school on April 22, 1993. Now, while denying two major factors.

In a crime that shocked the nation, aspiring architect Stephen was brutally slain by a gang of white youths at a bus stop in Eltham, South East London. Stephen's friend who witnessed the violent attack, heard one of the assailants use a racist slur as they "engulfed" the 18-year-old, stabbing him in the chest and arm.

A talented runner, Stephen was able to run more than 100 yards away from the site of his attack, despite the injuries having severed his axillary arteries and partially collapsed his lung. He then collapsed and bled to death shortly afterwards.

The cowardly aggressors fled the scene, and the subsequent investigation attracted This included a failure to follow up on crucial leads for many years. Stephen's murder ultimately led to the 1999 Macpherson report into institutional racism in the police force, which determined that racism had been an important factor in the “failures, mistakes, misjudgements, and lack of direction and control which bedevilled the Stephen Lawrence investigation”.

To this day, only two of the five or six suspects —Gary Dobson and David Norris — have ever been brought to justice.

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Norris, 48, has long denied having anything to do with the racist killing of Stephen. However, a ruling released last month reveals claims that he now admits his involvement in the assault, while denying that he holds any racist views, or that he wielded the weapon.

As per this ruling, the vice-chair of the board, Peter Rook KC, said: "After the trial, Mr Norris continued to deny the offence. Recent reports now suggest he has accepted he was present at the scene and punched the victim, but claims that he did not wield the . He does not accept he holds racist views."

Under the joint enterprise law, a defendant is found guilty of murder if they have assisted or encouraged the offence. This comes after dad, Neville Lawrence, stated that he would accept Norris' release if he finally confesses to the and issues an apology.

Speaking with the Daily Mail in January, Neville said: "He would have to say he was sorry for killing Stephen and that he had changed his ways and apologise to our family [for me to accept his release].

"I am not satisfied with him getting parole but what I am saying is if he can show remorse and show he's changed then I will accept that."

Norris was eventually jailed for Stephen's murder in 2012, after being sentenced to a minimum term of 14 years and three months. Due to time spent on remand, this sentence is almost up. The Parole Board has now decided that the killer's forthcoming hearing, which is expected to take place later this year, should go ahead in public.

While Stephen's parents are supportive of the hearing being held publicly, Norris' lawyers argued against this, asserting that it will increase risks to his safety and that he would not be able to give his “best evidence” amid concerns that the media would “sensationalise the proceedings”.

The report also detailed “continuing significant risks” to Norris’ safety inside the prison. Mr Rook stated: “He has been the victim of at least three assaults whilst in prison. On two occasions, he received serious injuries. The latest was in November 2022.”

According to this same report, Norris was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in November 2023.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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