Lawrence case forensics ‘back witness evidence’

The evidence of witnesses backs up new scientific evidence in the Stephen Lawrence murder trial, jurors were told yesterday.

Forensic experts maintain fibres, a blood spot and a hair linked to Mr Lawrence were found on a jacket and clothes belonging to two men accused of his killing.

Prosecutor Mark Ellison, QC, said the scientists had rejected defence claims that the items got on to the clothing by contamination after they were seized by police.

He said if the evidence had not got on to the clothing by contamination, it must have been because the men were among the attackers.

Mr Ellison told the Old Bailey that witnesses on the night had described “a scuffle, a bundle, a collision” while Mr Lawrence, 18, tried to defend himself.

He said: “As the scientists suggest, the evidence has shown it may well have been the case that there were opportunities for contact being made between parts of the attackers’ clothing and parts of Stephen Lawrence’s clothing.”

Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, both from south London, deny murdering Mr Lawrence, who was stabbed to death by a racist white gang near a bus stop in April 1993.

Mr Ellison said it could not be “a coincidence” that the defendants expressed racist views and talked of resorting to violence, in addition to one of their group being secretly filmed with a knife.

The trial was adjourned until today.