14 September 2024 , 08:46
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One of the prime suspects in the notorious murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence reportedly lives a ’lonely existence’ in the same area he grew up in, not far from the bus stop where the killing took place
One of the men suspected of killing Stephen Lawrence has been spotted near the scene of the racist attack, days before the teenager would have turned 50.
Luke Knight, 47, was visiting a newsagent’s around a mile from the bus stop where Stephen, 18, was stabbed in 1993. Knight was charged with murder but the case collapsed in 1996 due to a lack of evidence.
Wearing a cream polo shirt, dark shorts and sliders, the roofer has begun to look older in recent years with greying beard and hair. He reportedly lives a “lonely existence” in a top-floor flat in the same area in which he grew up.
A-level student Stephen, who would have been 50 yesterday, was stabbed to death by up to six thugs. They shouted “What, n*****?” as he waited for a bus in Eltham in South East London.
Stephen Lawrence would have turned 50 this week ( Image: PA)
Along with Knight, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt were accused of being part of the gang. All deny involvement.
During the initial murder probe police failed to act on information identifying the suspects. Four days after the killing, officers watched as a white man left the Acourt house carrying what looked like clothing covered with a bin liner.
Suspects Neil Acourt, Luke Knight, and Jamie Acourt
Knight was one of the three suspects privately prosecuted by the Lawrence family. He was later acquitted along with Gary Dobson and Neil Acourt.
His racist views were captured on a police video as he discussed African teams in the 1994 World Cup with Neil Acourt. On footage played in court he said: “Win and all that, I think it was Cameroon, a n***** country. Why the f*** should he want n****** to win it when they’re playing something like Italy or something like a European ******* team.” A 1999 public inquiry concluded that the first police investigation was “marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership”.
David Norris, 47, and Dobson, 48, were jailed for the murder in 2012. The trial centred on a tiny red fibre linked to Stephen discovered on a shirt seized from the home of the Acourts, who were not on trial. Matthew White, who died in 2021, was named as a sixth suspect.
Stephen’s family have said they have little faith in the Metropolitan Police catching the remaining killers after Det Chief Insp Clive Driscoll, who led the successful investigation, was forced to retire.
Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence ( PA)
Stephen’s dad, Neville, made an OBE and given an honorary doctorate for his campaigning, spends much of the year in Jamaica.
Earlier this year prosecutors ruled four officers in the botched investigation will not face any charges.
Stephen’s mum Baroness Doreen Lawrence branded the decision a “new low” in her family’s treatment.