Court blow to appeals by Lawrence murderers

Gary Dobson and David Norris were given life sentences at the Old Bailey in January, after the trial heard a gang of five or six white youths set upon A-level student Stephen in Eltham, south east London, in 1993.

Dobson was given at least 15 years and two months behind bars, while Norris was told he must serve at least 14 years and three months before being considered for release on parole.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Treacy, described the murder as a “terrible and evil crime” and urged police not to “close the file” on catching the rest of the killers.

In sentencing, he said the murder was committed “for no other reason than racial hatred”.

Mr Justice Treacy told the pair: “A totally innocent 18-year-old youth on the threshold of a promising life was brutally cut down in the street in front of eyewitnesses by a racist, thuggish gang.”

Dobson and Norris continue to protest their innocence, but their applications for permission to appeal have been rejected by a single judge after consideration of the papers.

The pair can still renew their applications before judges sitting at the appeal court

Dobson, 36, was acquitted of the murder in 1996 after a private prosecution brought against him, Neil Acourt and Luke Knight by the Lawrence family failed to achieve any convictions.

However in 2005, laws governing double jeopardy changed, allowing a defendant to be re-tried if new and compelling evidence should become available.

In April last year, the Court of Appeal ruled Dobson’s acquittal could be quashed and he could face trial for Mr Lawrence’s death in a fresh prosecution.

He was already in prison at that stage, having been jailed for five years in the previous summer for supplying a class B drug and possession with intent to supply.