Neville Lawrence, father of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, has said he expects another of his son's killers to apply for parole soon as he prepares to oppose the bid. Gary Dobson, 50, is nearing the end of his minimum term after being jailed in 2012 for the racist murder of 18-year-old Stephen in South-East London in 1993.
Dobson was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months, which expires early next year. Neville Lawrence, 84, said: 'We are waiting to hear because I'm sure he's going to try to get parole as well. But no matter what they try to do there's always ways to make it harder.' It is understood Dobson, who was held at HMP Warren Hill in Suffolk, had a bid to be moved to an open prison rejected two years ago.
Fellow convicted killer David Norris, 49, was denied parole last year over concerns he may still pose a danger to the public. During his parole hearing in October, it emerged Norris showed signs of continuing to hold racist views, including throwing excrement at Muslim prisoners and using racial slurs. Neville Lawrence said: 'You're then talking about not wanting any Black people in your family and you're going to tell me you've changed? I think he's better off where he is.'
Norris spoke for the first time about his role in the murder at the hearing, having previously denied being at the scene. He refused to name the other attackers, citing fears for his family's safety. Mr Lawrence watched the hearing via video link from Jamaica, where he lives for most of the year. He said: 'This man has always denied being there... If you can't name these people then what kind of a person are you?'
Mr Lawrence also expressed shock at learning he was spied on by undercover police officers, who gathered information about his family's justice campaign, including details of his separation from his then-wife Baroness Doreen Lawrence. He said: 'When I found out I asked my solicitor, was it me who killed my son? Why are you sending people after me to watch to see what I am doing?'
