Stephen Lawrence murder: Major suspect revealed in notorious racist killing – as cops admit bungling probe | The Sun

A NEW major suspect has been revealed in the Stephen Lawrence murder case.

Stephen, 18, was killed by a racist gang in Eltham, London in 1993.

David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life sentences for the murder in 2012 while three other suspects were not convicted.

The Met Police believe six men attacked Stephen when he was killed – and the man thought to be the sixth has now been named by cops, the BBC first reported.

Matthew White died in 2021 aged 50. The Met Police now say they bungled the probe into him.

Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: “The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing.

Read more on crime

Mourners gather in East London for vigil in honour of murdered Zara Aleena

Man, 27, charged with murder after much-loved woman, 40, ‘killed at home’

"Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen.

“On the 30^th anniversary of Stephen’s murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.”

The Met stopped investigating Stephen's murder case in 2020.

An investigation by the BBC reportedly found that a relative of White tried to speak to cops after the murder but due to a mistake the lead was not pursued.

Most read in The Sun

The BBC also reportedly discovered that a witness told cops in 2000 that White had admitted being involved.

White also strongly resembled a description of an attacker by Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks who was with him when he was killed.

White was reportedly arrested by Clive Driscoll, the cop who convicted two of Stephen's killers, but he was made to retire before his investigation could be properly carried out.

Former Det Ch Insp Driscoll also claimed that former Met Police boss Cressida Dick allegedly said he shouldn't bother going after any other suspects.

In a statement released after the BBC investigation, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ward said: "

Stephen was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack and the case rocked the country.

What followed was a years long battle for justice led by Stephen's family and judicial reviews that led to intense scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police.

The day after the killing a letter naming suspects was left in a phone box.

In May and June 1993 police arrested five suspects and charged two, but the charges were dropped a month later with cops saying Duwayne's ID evidence was unreliable.

The following year the CPS again refused to prosecute suspects, despite new evidence being brought forward.

Stephen's angry parents launched a private prosecution against Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and Neil Acourt, but it failed in 1996 when Duwayne's ID evidence was declared inadmissible.

In February 1997 an inquest ruled that Stephen was killed in a "completely unprovoked racist attack by five youths".

The following day the Daily Mail named suspects as Stephen's killers on its front page and invited them to sue the paper.

In May 2011 Gary Dobson and David Norris finally faced trial for Stephen's murder following a review of forensic evidence that found the victim's DNA on the defendants' clothes.

Read More On The Sun

Moment Lana Del Rey escorted off Glasto stage after security shut down power

Mystery as Brit tourist, 20, found dead in pool during party at Greek bar

Both received life sentences with Dobson jailed for a minimum of 15 years and two months and Norris for 14 years and three months.

Stephen's mum Doreen and dad Neville campaigned tirelessly for justice and policing reforms following his murder and his mum is now a Baroness sitting in the House of Lords.

Source: Read Full Article