Stephen Lawrence murder gang suspects ordered to pay damages to victim's friend

By Justin Penrose, sundaymirror.co.uk 15/06/2008

Stephen Lawrence (Pic:Reuters)

Four suspects accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence DID carry out the racist attack on the teenager and his friend, a judge has ruled.

He ordered David Norris, Neil Acourt, brother Jamie and Gary Dobson to pay Stephen's best friend Duwayne Brooks damages.

Ten other members of the "Nazi Turnout" gang were also ordered to pay damages and costs to Duwayne for their part in a "conspiracy" to "threaten, assault and injure people, particularly black people".

Duwayne, now 33, said yesterday: "This was never about getting money - it was about getting a judgement against Stephen's killers.

"I hope this will be the first step in getting them brought to justice. They may have got away with murder for now but this judgement is a step in the right direction."

A dossier of nine attacks was presented to Central London County Court to illustrate the gang's race-hate.

The 1993 attack on Duwayne and Stephen, then both 18, in Eltham, South-East London, was ruled part of the conspiracy. Fifth suspect Luke Knight was not ordered to pay compensation.

Police now hope a forensic breakthrough will let them charge the gang this year.

In legal language, the court summons says Duwayne: "apprehended the infliction of a battery upon a person by five or six of the defendants after hearing one of the defendants shout 'what, what nigger?' after witnessing the murder of Stephen Lawrence."

Judge Mitchell ordered Duwayne be paid a nominal £100 by 14 of the 18 defendants, with costs.