Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death by up to six thugs as he waited for a bus – his father Neville says he hopes to read out a statement at his son’s killer David Norris’ parole hearing
Stephen Lawrence’s father Neville has told how he plans to face his son’s killer, David Norris, at a parole board hearing.
He also believes the bandit should not be released from prison until he shows genuine remorse and names all those involved in the racist murder of an 18-year-old student in 1993. In September 2012, Norris was finally sentenced to a minimum of 14 years and three months in prison.
Taking into account the length of time on remand, this means the minimum term ends in December. He has now applied for parole and a hearing is due to take place in the coming months. This will pave the way for the killer to rebuild his life aged just 47. Neville, 82, said last night: ‘I have written a statement and I hope to be able to read it at the parole hearing.
‘I want to know if he regrets what he has done. Will he lead a normal life when he is released and not commit any more crimes? Does he regret what he has done? People in prison need to show remorse because these people took 31 years of my life. He needs to tell the family he is sorry for the pain he has caused us. And he needs to say whoever else was involved, he needs to name them.”
Stephen was stabbed to death by up to six thugs shouting “What, niggas?” as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, with his pal Dwayne Brooks. But Dwayne admitted he had not spoken about Norris’ parole hearing, despite Sir William Macpherson classing him as the victim of an assault in his 1999 murder report.
He said: “The Ministry of Justice does not regard me as a victim of a fatal attack. I think that shows the continuing failings that McPherson identified in his actions today. The parole board should have told me there was going to be a hearing, but they didn’t. I was treated as a witness until McPherson said, ‘He’s a victim.’
I would like to know why they still don’t consider me a victim. They could have taken my life that day. I want to make a statement at the hearing. I want to read it to the press, who are supposed to have access to the hearing.” Rules were changed to allow the press and public to attend parole hearings, although this was only allowed in a few cases.
Norris, who was 16 at the time of Stephen’s murder, was transferred to a tougher prison two years ago after being caught using a cellphone. He and Gary Dobson, 48, are the only members of the gang that killed Stephen to be convicted. They were arrested in 2010 after investigating cold cases. Dobson received a minimum sentence of 15 years and two months.
The Kingston Council on Race and Equality supported Neville. Chief executive John Aza said: “Those convicted of Stephen’s murder have never shown remorse and have never mentioned the name of the man who wielded the knife. “Now they will be given the opportunity to walk free. Justice is a two-way street.”
Brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt were accused of being part of the gang that attacked Stephen. They were serving time for drug trafficking. The other, Luke Knight, remains at large. All deny involvement in the murder. The sixth suspect is Matthew White, who died in 2021 aged 50. The Parole Board said: “We can confirm that David Norris’ case has been referred to the board.” And the Prison Service added: “Family members of murder victims are informed when the release of an offender is being considered.”
Neville, who was awarded an OBE and an honorary doctorate in laws for his campaigning, spends much of the year in Jamaica, where his son is buried. The CPS decided this week that four police officers involved in the botched investigation into Stephen’s murder would not face charges. Stephen’s mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, called the decision a “new low” in the treatment of her family.
