EXCLUSIVEStephen Lawrence murder suspect Luke Knight walks carefree to the shops just a mile away from scene of racist 1993 killing - days before teenager would have turned 50
One of the men suspected of killing Stephen Lawrence has been spotted near the scene of the attack - just days before the murdered teenager would have turned 50.
One of the men suspected of killing Stephen Lawrence has been spotted near the scene of the attack - just days before the murdered teenager would have turned 50.
Luke Knight, 47, was seen outside a newsagents at Eltham in South East London, around a mile from the bus stop where Stephen was stabbed aged 18 in 1993.
Knight, who still lives in the area, was arrested and charged with murder at the time before it was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to lack of evidence.
He was tried for murder in 1996 after a private prosecution brought by Stephens parents but the judge told the jury to acquit him after further issues with evidence.
The roofer, who has always maintained his innocence, remains the only one of the original five suspects in Stephens case who does not have a criminal conviction.
Aspiring architect Stephen, who would have turned 50 tomorrow, was killed in a savage and unprovoked gang attack by up to six white youths as he waited at a bus stop with a friend on April 22, 1993 - and his family faced a long fight for justice.
Stephen Lawrence murder suspect Luke Knight in Eltham, South East London, on September 3
Knight outside a newsagents in Eltham, a mile from the bus stop where Stephen was killed
Knight still lives in the Eltham area and was pictured outside a shop there on September 3
Knight is dressed casually in a cream polo short and dark shorts after visiting a shop in Eltham
Knight was one of the five faces famously plastered on the Daily Mails front page on February 14, 1997 beneath the headline: MURDERERS. The Mail accuses these men of killing. If we are wrong, let them sue us.
The other four were Gary Dobson, Neil Acourt, Jamie Acourt and David Norris.
In 2012, Dobson and Norris were found guilty of being involved in the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment, after a forensic review of the case found significant new scientific evidence on clothing seized from their homes following the murder.
The Acourt brothers have always maintained their innocence and have never been convicted, although both have since served jail time for drug dealing.
A sixth suspect called Matthew White, who was arrested twice over the murder but never charged, was revealed in an investigation by the BBC in June last year. He died in 2021 aged 50.
On the rare occasions Knight has spoken about the case, he has protested his innocence and denied being at the scene.
The latest sighting of him came last week on September 3, when the father-of-two was pictured dressed casually in a cream polo short and dark shorts after visiting a shop in Eltham.
Neighbours and friends said Knight earns a living as a roofer but lives a lonely existence in a top-floor flat and has started to look older in recent years, with grey hair visible.
Despite remaining in the local area, they added that he has never escaped the shadow of being a suspect for the murder.
A neighbour said: Hes a very lonely man. He seems full of anger. He walks around without a care in the world though, despite the murder taking place just down the road.
Its shocking that Stephen would now be 50. Knight just lives the same life.
He strongly maintains his innocence. But if ever asked, he refuses to speak. He has said before the whole things hangs over him all the time.
Knight is said to refuse to discuss Stephens murder now - although talked about the case in an ITV interview in 1999 which also heard from the other four suspects.
Then in 2009, Knight protested his innocence and said he was not present at the murder scene.
Stephen Lawrence was murdered by a gang of racists in Eltham, South East London, in 1993
Luke Knight (far left) was famously pelted with eggs on June 30, 1998 outside the public inquiry into the polices handling of the Stephen Lawrence case in London
Luke Knight is said to refuse to discuss Stephens murder now, but spoke about it to ITV in 1999
He said at the time: Im an innocent man. Ive done nothing wrong. Im totally innocent – I wasnt even there.
I have two little girls now. I have not told them about all of this. One day I will, Ill tell them that I am totally innocent. Ive had 15 years of this – how do you think Im coping? I cant even get a job.
Knights mother Pam also previously said: Whats the point in him commenting? He didnt do anything wrong and thats all there is to it.
The son of a market trader, Knight was born in Southwark in November 1976.
Knight was arrested over the case on June 3, 1993, before being charged with murder later that month on June 23. However, this charge was dropped by the CPS the following month on July 29.
Stephens parents later began a private prosecution and Knight was tried for murder at the Old Bailey alongside Dobson and Neil Acourt in 1996.
Gary Dobson (left) was jailed for at least 15 years and two months and David Norris (right) was jailed at least 14 years and three months for the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993
Jamie Acourt (left) and his brother Neil (right) were also suspects but were never convicted
However, the judge ruled that purported identification evidence was not admissible, which meant the prosecution could not continue and the jury was therefore directed to acquit the defendants - with not guilty verdicts given.
Then in 1998, Knight was famously pelted with eggs as he walked with Norris outside the public inquiry into the polices handling of the case.
In the years after the murder, Knight failed to persuade Greenwich Council that he should be rehoused because of intimidation.
He claimed to be suffering from psychological problems after threats from anti-racist groups.
The original police investigation into Stephens death was marred by institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police, incompetence and alleged corruption.
Years after the initial probe, it emerged that undercover police officers had spied on campaigners supporting Stephens family in their fight for justice.
The bus stop in Eltham, South East London, at the scene of the murder is pictured in June 2023
Stephen was murdered as he went to catch a bus with his friend Duwayne Brooks (pictured)
Last month, Stephens mother Doreen Lawrence revealed his body would be returned to the UK from Jamaica 31 years after his murder.
Baroness Lawrence said his family had decided to bring Stephen home to be closer to us after originally burying him on the Caribbean island because they felt he would not be at peace in this country.
She added that images of her sons grave had appeared on social media after his body had been exhumed, which had caused the family distress.
