Racist killers may get longer sentences

LONDON, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The two men convicted of one of Britain's most notorious racist crimes could have their prison sentences extended, authorities said Thursday.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve plans to review the case and the terms of at least 15 years for Gary Dobson, 36, and 14 years for David Norris, 35, The Independent reported. Dobson and Norris were convicted this week of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, 18, in 1993.

The minimum sentences would have been far longer if Dobson and Norris had been adults in 1993.

Lawrence, an aspiring architect, was waiting at a bus stop in South London with a friend when they were set upon by a gang of white teenagers. The friend testified at the trial, breaking down as he described how Lawrence was stabbed and bled to death as he tried to get away.

The case festered for years. An investigation into the police response led to a report calling the Metropolitan Police "institutionally racist."

At least three other teens were involved in the attack. The Daily Mirror, citing a source, said officers in Operation Fishpool, set up five years ago to investigate the killing, were told the team would be disbanded after the trial.

Police now say the team will stay on the case but may lose some of its officers, the Independent said.