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 his innocence in the murder of 18-year-old Stephen, who was knifed to death by a gang of racists in southeast London in 1993.
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But a Parole Board has now revealed claims he does admit some involvement in the attack.
Norris has reportedly confessed to punching Stephen, but not stabbing him – while he continues to deny holding racist views.
He is set to face his first parole hearing on a date yet to be fixed, and on Thursday the Parole Board granted an application for the hearing to be held in public.
In the ruling, vice chairman of the board, Peter Rook KC, 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 report also detailed “continuing significant risks” to Norris’s safety in prison.
“He has been the victim of at least three assaults whilst in prison,” Mr Rook said.
“On two occasions he received serious injuries. The latest was in November 2022.”
He was diagnosed with PTSD in November 2023, according to the report.
Norris’s lawyers argued against the parole hearing being held in public, saying it will increase the risk to his safety and that the inmate will not be able to give his “best evidence” over concerns that the media will “sensationalise the proceedings”.
Stephen’s parents are said to be supportive of the public hearing.
His dad, Neville Lawrence, has previously said he is not satisfied with Norris getting parole, but if he can show remorse he will accept it.
He told the Daily Mail: “He would have to say he was sorry for killing Stephen and that he had changed his ways and apologise to our family (for me to accept his release).
“I am not satisfied with him getting parole but what I am saying is if he can show remorse and show he’s changed then I will accept that.”
Norris was sentenced along with pal Gary Dobson in 2012 – while the other gang members were never brought to justice.
Norris was jailed for a minimum of 14 years and three months for murder at the end of an Old Bailey trial that hinged on tiny traces of forensic evidence.
It followed a years-long police investigation that was marred by institutional racism in the Met, incompetence and alleged corruption.
Last year, Neville slammed a decision to exhume his son’s body to return it to the UK for reburial.
The teenager’s body was originally buried in Jamaica – with Stephen’s mum, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, later deciding to “bring Stephen home”.
But her ex-husband Neville claimed he was not informed and only found out when he saw footage of the damage done to Stephen’s resting place.
He said: “He was at peace in Jamaica and has now been disturbed and taken away.
“I am appalled that my son’s grave has been vandalised in this way and left in such a mess.”
But, he added: “I am confident, regardless of the decisions made without my knowledge and consent, that Stephen’s legacy will be sustained.
“I would not take my son back to the place where he was murdered.”
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