New evidence in Stephen Lawrence murder case

Police today confirmed they are investigating new forensic evidence in the case of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Reports suggested the new evidence could lead to the re-arrest of five men originally suspected of the 18-year-old's murder.

Stephen, an A-level student, was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south London, in an unprovoked race hate attack by a gang of five white youths in April 1993.

No-one was convicted of the killing but five men were arrested soon afterwards: Gary Dobson, 32, Neil Acourt, 32, Luke Knight, 31, Jamie Acourt, 31, and David Norris, 31.

Dobson, Knight and Neil Acourt were acquitted of murder after a private prosecution brought by the Lawrence family collapsed at the Old Bailey in 1996.

Norris and Acourt never stood trial as the case against them collapsed before reaching court.

Following the abolition of the double jeopardy rule two years ago, which prevented defendants being tried twice for the same crime, the men could potentially face another trial.

The Daily Mail reported that the five could be re-arrested in the light of the new evidence.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the inquiry into Stephen's death was subject to regular reviews, as was the case with all unsolved murders.

"An opportunity to see if the forensic work can be re-visited in the light of new technology is standard practice and is being adopted in the murder of Stephen Lawrence," the force said in a statement.

"As the result of a forensic opportunity coming to light new DNA samples are being taken from individuals who may have come into contact with Stephen at the time, or prior to his death, such as his family, police officers, ambulance and medical staff."

Speaking from Jamaica, where he now lives, Stephen's father Neville Lawrence told the Mail he had never given up hope of bringing his son's killers to justice.

"I've been waiting for 14 years, so I won't get my hopes up yet, but it sounds fantastic news," he said.

"We have tried many times before, as you know, but if we manage to get justice for Stephen this time, it would make me really, really happy.

"It's the very least that my lovely son deserves."