Stephen Lawrence murder: Parents make statements after guilty verdict

“How can I celebrate when I know this day could have come 18 years ago if the police who were meant to find my son’s killers [had not] failed so miserably to do so?

“All I now feel is relief that two of my son’s killers have finally been caught and brought to justice; relief that these racist men can no longer think that they can murder a black man and get away with it.

“I feel relieved that, to some extent, I can move forward with my life.

“But mixed with relief is anger – anger that me and my family were put through 18 years of grief and uncertainty, not knowing if we would ever get justice.

“This result shows that the police can do their job properly, but only if they want to. I only hope that they have learned their lesson.

“Now I want people to think of Stephen other than [as] a black teenager murdered in a racist attack.

“I now want people to remember him as a bright, beautiful young man, who any parent of whatever background would have been proud of.

“He was a wonderful son and a shining example of what any parent would want in a child. I miss him with a passion. Hopefully now he can rest in peace.”

Doreen Lawrence

“MY LIFE was torn apart by the senseless murder of my son over 18 years ago.

“The loss itself, together with the lack of justice, have meant that I have not been able to rest all this time. I’m therefore full of joy and relief that today finally two of my son’s killers have been convicted for his murder.

“Something has happened over the last seven weeks – I have watched justice being done.

“However, I’m also conscious of the fact that there were five or six attackers that night. I do not think I’ll be able to rest until they are all brought to justice.”

Neville Lawrence