Lawrence suspects are jailed for racial abuse
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Two of the prime suspects for the murder of Stephen Lawrence were jailed yesterday for racially harassing a policeman. Flanked by security guards, Neil Acourt hissed "fit-up" as he and David Norris were taken away to begin their 18-month sentences.
Woolwich Crown Court was told that, almost a decade after the black teenager was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, the pair had returned to the same road and hurled abuse at an off-duty constable.
As Acourt, 27, swerved the car at Detective Constable Gareth Reid, Norris, 26, had thrown a drink at the officer, shouting "nigger" before the pair drove off laughing.
Yesterday Judge Carroll challenged Acourt's and Norris's protestations that their lives had been ruined by the furore that followed the death of Stephen Lawrence.
"On 11 May last year ... you came into Eltham in that hire car and you went to the area where Stephen Lawrence was murdered nine years ago, an event which you have since complained resulted in the persecution and isolation of both of you.
"I make it plain I have no concern as far as that other matter is concerned. However, I think it is relevant in that you both complain of that persecution and isolation, resulting from that matter which led to such notoriety and you commit this present offence about half a mile away from where that murder took place in the same road in Eltham," he said.
Handing down a sentence that fell six months short of the maximum penalty of two years, the judge added: "This court has a duty to mark society's abhorrence of racially aggravated and intentional harassment, alarm or distress.
"The sentence, as well as punishing you, is intended to send a signal out to others who may think it is acceptable in Eltham, or elsewhere, to behave in this intolerable way."
The two men, who were convicted of racially aggravated and intentional harassment, alarm or distress after a three-day trial in July, were told they must serve a minimum of nine months in jail. Both plan to appeal against conviction.
During the judge's comments Norris shook his head, with Acourt mirroring his look of disdain.
The pair blew kisses to their families – including Acourt's mother and brother – in the gallery, and a relative yelled: "We love you, boys. It is absolutely disgraceful, absolutely disgusting."
The inquiry report into the death of Lawrence described Norris and Acourt, and three other men, as the prime suspects who were "infected and invaded by gross and revolting racism".
The swaggering contempt that has come to characterise the Lawrence suspects was evident in their body language yesterday. As they sat down in the dock, Norris appeared to give an exaggerated yawn, while Acourt smiled at his family. They showed no remorse, their barrister, John Hurlock, told the court, because they did not accept the conviction. They also denied being racist.
The trial was told that Mr Reid, 38, was returning home when a car raced at him as he crossed the road and Norris yelled the racist remark. The officer recognised the pair. Their motivation in this "joint enterprise", the court heard, was by "virtue of one reason and one reason alone – his colour".
Mr Hurlock described how Acourt had been unable to maintain a relationship or find a job since 1993 and was now a near recluse, mixing only with those he felt safe with.
He lives with his family in Greenwich, south London. He has a conviction for possession of an offensive weapon.
His accomplice, the court was told, had convictions for motoring offences and theft and been sentenced to three months in 1999 after admitting driving while disqualified.
Norris, who lives with his mother and siblings in Chislehurst, Kent, had also been unable to find work , the defence counsel said.
The son of the London gangster Clifford Norris, he had been suicidal, prescribed anti-depressants and now mixed only with friends he trusted. The youngest of his four children, a seven-month-old baby, was seriously ill and was awaiting surgery.
Acourt, Luke Knight and Gary Dobson were acquitted of the Lawrence murder after a private prosecution. Norris, with Acourt's brother Jamie, was never tried.
The Lawrence case has been reopened by police and a new file sent to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider possible new charges.
Yesterday Detective Inspector Mark Castell said: "The Metropolitan Police learnt very good lessons from the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence and the investigation which led up to today's conviction was a good example of that."