Cops release CCTV of mystery man they want to speak to about notorious 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence
Dramatic new CCTV clue of man in an off-licence close to the stabbing in Eltham, South East London
DETECTIVES investigating the racist murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence today released new images of a man they would like to speak to.
CCTV from the night Stephen was killed show a witness who police believe could assist with their ongoing inquiries into the notorious stabbing 23 years ago in South East London.
The black and white images, which officers have digitally enhanced with new techniques, show the man wearing a distinctive 'V' emblem jacket which was at the centre of earlier hunts.
The individual has never been identified and officers are appealing to him, or anyone that knows him, to come forward.
Scotland Yard says it is "important" that they speak to the man, who was shopping in an off-licence close to where Stephen was knifed to death.
DCI Chris Le Pere, in charge of the investigation, said: "We are appealing for this man to come forward so that we can speak to him to establish if he can assist with our inquiries, or if we can eliminate this strand of the investigation.
"He was seen in the off-licence at 8pm and then again later that night not far from where Stephen was attacked.
"It is important that we speak with him.”
A-level student Stephen, 18, was ambushed by a group of six white youths in an unprovoked racist attack as he waited at a bus stop on Well Hall Road in Eltham at 10.35pm on April 22, 1993.
Following an initial confrontation, Stephen was subsequently stabbed in nearby Dickson Road.
He was able to escape from the group and managed to run a distance of around 130 yards before collapsing. The suspects ran off down Dickson Road as Stephen lay bleeding to death.
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The man in the images was captured on CCTV in an off-licence on Well Hall Road 330 yards from the bus stop where Stephen was set upon.
Witnesses have previously reported seeing a man in a distinctive green jacket with the 'V' emblem in the vicinity of Well Hall Road roundabout at about the time Stephen was attacked.
Officers have been conducting local inquiries to trace this individual recently and are now widening their appeal for help in identifying him.
DCI Le Pere added: "The image of the distinctive jumper was previously circulated to media in 1993 and again in 2013.
“The CCTV was recently identified as part of a regular internal review of the case.
“Officers digitally enhanced it to give us the clearest possible image, and having carried out inquiries to trace him, now release it again to make a public appeal.
"The investigation remains open. Two individuals were found guilty of murder, but officers continue to follow lines of inquiry.
“We are hoping that over the passage of time allegiances may have changed, people may have moved away and feel more confident coming forward."
Five white youths were linked to the murder of black A-level student Stephen but they were not prosecuted at the time due to a lack of evidence.
The five were later named at a public inquiry as Gary Dobson, David Norris, Luke Knight and brothers Neil Acourt and Jamie Acourt.
Following a cold case review, Dobson and Norris were tried and found guilty of murder in 2012.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 15 years and two months for Dobson and 14 years and three months for Norris.
The judge described it as a “terrible and evil crime”.
Officers say will be making further appeals for information later in the year.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8310 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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