STEPHEN Lawrence’s killer David Norris has finally admitted his role in the racist attack – as he makes a bid to be freed from jail.
Norris, 48, has always maintained he is innocent of the murder of 18-year-old Stephen, who was stabbed to death in southeast London in April 1993.
Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in April 1993[/caption]
But a new Parole Board hearing, released to the public on Thursday, revealed claims he now admitted some involvement.
According to the reports, Norris has confessed punching Stephen, but not stabbing him.
He continues to deny being a racist.
The ruling said: “After the trial, Mr Norris continued to deny the offence.
“Recent reports now suggest he has accepted he was present at the scene and punched the victim but claims that he did not wield the knife. He does not accept he holds racist views.”
The principle of “joint enterprise” in British law dictates that a defendant is guilty of murder if they are found to have assisted in or encouraged the offence.
Norris grew up in Chislehurst – miles from his fellow gang members who were raised in a more deprived area of Eltham in South London.
As a teen, Norris was implicated along with other gang members in a string of violent knife attacks in South East London.
When police first arrested Norris on suspicion of murdering Stephen when he was aged 16, officers had to pass through electronic gates at his dad’s £800,000 home.
But in 2012, when they came knocking with an arrest warrant in hand, they found Norris in less lavish surroundings.
The killer was living out of a van and dossing in a bedsit above a pub in Greenwich.
He was making a living selling scrap metal after a falling out with his drug-baron dad.
The brute no longer cared for his five children after splitting with his girlfriend.
David Norris is serving a life sentence for the murder of Stephen Lawrence[/caption]
