Lawrence murderers to be sentenced as minors
Gary Dobson, 36 and David Norris, 35, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey today, after being convicted on Tuesday of the racist murder of 18-year-old Stepehn Lawrence in 1993.
Because the two men were under 18 when the attack took place, they will be sentenced as minors, meaning the minimum term they are likely to receive is 12 years. They will probably receive shorter sentences than teenagers convicted of a similar offence committed now, because stricter guidelines have been introduced since 1993.
But the judge, Mr Justice Treacy, will take into account the fact that the murder was racist and that the pair realised that one of their group might use a knife.
Dobson and Norris were convicted by a jury 18 years after the murder. Following the verdicts, Neville Lawrence, Stephen’s father, told Channel 4 News it was “a release of emotion”.
“I would describe it as if you’re underwater and you come up for air. When the verdict was read out, I felt as if my heart was going to come through my mouth, ” he said.
Doreen and Neville Lawrence fought a passionate 18-year-long battle to bring their son’s killers to justice.
The men were convicted on the basis of new forensic evidence. The scientists responsible for unearthing the evidence said they were “hugely proud”. Steve Allen, managing director of LGC Forensics, said: “Persistence, meticulous science and innovation can help convict criminals years after they committed the crime.”
Read more: Stephen Lawrence father 'praying' others will face justice
