Justice Secretary: Lawrence killer will be punished over jail phone

Racist Stephen Lawrence killer David Norris will face ‘consequences’ after he was caught illegally using a smartphone in his prison cell, Justice Secretary warns

  • New Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis said he was ‘furious’ Norris broke the rules
  • David Norris, 46, illegally used a smartphone while in his Dartmoor prison cell 
  • The smartphone has been found in an intimate place inside the murderer’s body 
  • Prison staff raided his cell, but couldn’t find the device until they X-rayed him

Racist killer David Norris will face ‘consequences’ after he was caught illegally using a smartphone in his prison cell, the Justice Secretary warned yesterday.

Brandon Lewis said he was ‘furious’ that the thug who murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence had managed to break prison rules and obtain a phone.

The Daily Mail this week published a sickening selfie that Norris, 46, took from his cell on Dartmoor’s E wing, which houses supposedly well-behaved inmates.

We also revealed nauseating details of Norris’s cushy life behind bars, despite his role in Britain’s most notorious race murder.

His phone was recovered from his body after he was X-rayed and a police investigation into how he obtained it is under way.

David Norris, 46, will face ‘consequences’ after he was caught illegally using a smartphone in his prison cell, the Justice Secretary warned yesterday. He posted an extraordinary picture of himself in his cell at Dartmoor Prison in Devon


Norris (left), 46, was one of two men convicted of 18-year-old Stephen’s (right) murder at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993

Mr Lewis told the Mail: ‘It shouldn’t have happened. If someone’s in prison, they’re there because they committed an offence, let alone such a heinous offence. 

‘Obviously we managed to find the phone because of the sort of technological investment and advances we’re making.

‘Credit to the Daily Mail for getting the story.

‘It’s a reminder that we’ve got to keep driving not just the technological improvements in our prisons, but… also making sure that prison is a punishment for people. And the public need to know that they’re going to be kept safe.’ 

Asked whether Norris would face a loss of privileges or even a longer sentence, newly appointed Mr Lewis said: ‘Actions absolutely have consequences. That’s an important thing across life and certainly in prison.

Police video of their interview with David Norris on September 7, 2010, following the murder of Stephen Lawrence 

Norris, centre, runs for cover as he and some of the others are pelted with eggs after leaving a Public Inquiry into police handling of the case in London on June 30, 1998

‘Prison is an opportunity for people to (get rehabilitated) but it’s also important that prisoners realise that they are there for a reason – they’ve committed an offence, they’re there for public safety. And if they don’t act responsibly, properly, there are repercussions.’

Mr Lewis spoke out after Stephen’s father said he was ‘disgusted’ that one of his son’s murderers sent selfies to friends from his cell, adding that jail staff should be sacked over the scandal.

Neville Lawrence said his son would be ‘turning in his grave’ if he knew about the ‘luxury life’ being enjoyed by Norris behind bars. He told ITV News London: ‘He is living a better life than I am and I haven’t done anything wrong.’

In 1997, the Mail published its widely acclaimed ‘MURDERERS’ front page, accusing the shameless five of being Stephen’s killers. In 2012, the Mail published a second front page (pictured) focused on David Norris and Gary Dobson

Five men were initially arrested over the racist murder of 18-year-old Stephen, who was stabbed to death in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993.

Killer: David Norris takes his prison cell selfie. Above: Yesterday’s exclusive report

Two of his killers – Norris and Gary Dobson, now 47 – were brought to justice after a belated forensic breakthrough. Both were given life sentences in 2012 after being found guilty of murder.

Following a tip-off from the Mail about Norris’s unlawful use of a smartphone, the killer is facing an uncertain future and could be transferred to a tougher jail.

His HTC smartphone is being examined by experts to establish who Norris was in contact with from his ‘luxury’ cell. There are fears a corrupt member of staff at Dartmoor may have smuggled the phone into the jail, in return for a payment of up to £3,000.

Norris has been placed into solitary confinement, pending the police inquiries, and his hopes of winning early parole appear to have ended.

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