What happened to Stephen Lawrence? Why the police investigation into the murder of the black teenager has been declared ‘inactive’

Stephen Lawrence was just 18 years old when he was stabbed to death (Met Police)

The investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence has been moved to an “inactive phase”, with police detectives saying they have no further lines of inquiry.

Stephen Lawrence was murdered by a group of racists in 1993 but just two of his attackers were imprisoned for their part in the crime.

Speaking on 11 August, Metropolitan Police chief, Dame Cressida Dick, said, “The investigation has now moved to an ‘inactive’ phase, but I have given Stephen’s family the assurance that we will continue to deal with any new information that comes to light.

“The investigation into Stephen’s murder will also be periodically reviewed for any further investigative opportunities which may arise; for example, with advances in technology.

“We were able to secure two convictions following a determined investigation in 2012 but it is well known that other suspects were also involved in the events which unfolded that night and it is deeply frustrating that we have been unable to bring them to justice.”

What happened to Stephen Lawrence?

On April 22 1993, black teenager Stephen Lawrence was waiting at a bus stop in south east London with friend Duwayne Brooks when the two were attacked by a gang of white youths.

Brooks escaped unhurt, but Stephen Lawrence was stabbed several times, running from the scene before bleeding to death.

Several witnesses came forward in the following days, naming a gang which had been linked with several racist attacks in the area.

Gary Dobson, Neil and Jamie Acourt, Luke Knight and David Norris, were all identified as suspects and arrested between May 7 and 23 June, with Neil Acourt and Luke Knight charged with murder on May 13 and June 23 respectively after they were identified by Duwayne Brooks.

The prosecution was dropped in July, however, with Brooks’ testimony alone deemed insufficient.

A private prosecution against Neil Acourt, Knight and Dobson was launched by the parents of Stephen, Doreen and Neville, but again the evidence from Brooks was deemed inadmissible in court.

The five accused men appeared at a special inquiry into Stephen’s death in 1997, but refused to answer questions.

Were Lawrence’s killers brought to justice?

In the wake of the special inquiry the Daily Mail ran a headline featuring the five suspects with the headline ‘MURDERERS’, calling on the men to sue them if the paper was wrong.

Later that year, the Macpherson Report, launched by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, concluded that the police investigation was “marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership.”

The report also led to the banning of the double jeopardy law, which prevented defendants from being tried more than once on the same charges. The law change meant that Gary Dobson and David Norris could face trial again, following the discovery of forensic evidence and covert footage featuring Norris making violent and racist remarks.

Dobson and Norris were both found guilty of murder in January 2012 and received life sentences.

It was revealed in 2013 that a police mole infiltrated a campaign group supporting the Lawrence family’s fight for justice. Police said in 2018 that the case was “unlikely to progress further.”