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04/04/2006
Brothers acquitted of Damilola murder
Two brothers have been acquitted of the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor.
The two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, were also cleared of assault with intent to rob. However, the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on manslaughter charges.
The case has now been adjourned until Thursday, when prosecutors will decide whether to press for a retrial on the manslaughter charges.
On Monday, Hassan Jihad, 20, was cleared of any involvement in the schoolboy's death.
Damilola bled to death from a wound in his leg in a stairwell in the North Peckham Estate in south London in November 2000.
The prosecution had claimed that the schoolboy had been stabbed during an attempted robbery.
However, an expert giving evidence for the defence suggested that falling on a broken bottle could have caused Damilola's fatal injury.
The mother of the two brothers reportedly collapsed and wept at the Old Bailey as the verdicts were announced.
Neil O'May, the lawyer for Damilola's parents, Richard and Gloria, said that they were "deeply distressed and profoundly disappointed" by the verdict.
Four other youths, all aged under 18, were cleared of the schoolboy's murder following a trial in 2002.
(KMcA)
The two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, were also cleared of assault with intent to rob. However, the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on manslaughter charges.
The case has now been adjourned until Thursday, when prosecutors will decide whether to press for a retrial on the manslaughter charges.
On Monday, Hassan Jihad, 20, was cleared of any involvement in the schoolboy's death.
Damilola bled to death from a wound in his leg in a stairwell in the North Peckham Estate in south London in November 2000.
The prosecution had claimed that the schoolboy had been stabbed during an attempted robbery.
However, an expert giving evidence for the defence suggested that falling on a broken bottle could have caused Damilola's fatal injury.
The mother of the two brothers reportedly collapsed and wept at the Old Bailey as the verdicts were announced.
Neil O'May, the lawyer for Damilola's parents, Richard and Gloria, said that they were "deeply distressed and profoundly disappointed" by the verdict.
Four other youths, all aged under 18, were cleared of the schoolboy's murder following a trial in 2002.
(KMcA)
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05 January 2005
Three arrests made in Damilola Taylor murder case
Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed. The men were arrested on January 5 and are being held for questioning at a south London police station.
Three arrests made in Damilola Taylor murder case
Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed. The men were arrested on January 5 and are being held for questioning at a south London police station.
09 October 2006
Damilola killers get eight years
Two brothers have been jailed for killing schoolboy Damilola Taylor nearly six years ago. Danny and Ricky Preddie, aged 18 and 19, from Peckham, south London, were sentenced to eight years' youth custody at the Old Bailey on Monday. They had been convicted of manslaughter in August.
Damilola killers get eight years
Two brothers have been jailed for killing schoolboy Damilola Taylor nearly six years ago. Danny and Ricky Preddie, aged 18 and 19, from Peckham, south London, were sentenced to eight years' youth custody at the Old Bailey on Monday. They had been convicted of manslaughter in August.
06 April 2006
Brothers to face retrial over Damilola death
Two teenage brothers charged in connection with the death of schoolboy Damilola Taylor will face a retrial on manslaughter charges. The brothers, aged 17 and 18, were cleared of murder and assault with intent to rob at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. However, the jury failed to reach a verdict on manslaughter charges.
Brothers to face retrial over Damilola death
Two teenage brothers charged in connection with the death of schoolboy Damilola Taylor will face a retrial on manslaughter charges. The brothers, aged 17 and 18, were cleared of murder and assault with intent to rob at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. However, the jury failed to reach a verdict on manslaughter charges.
03 April 2006
Man found not guilty of Damilola murder
A 20-year-old man has been found not guilty of the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor in south London. Hassan Jihad was cleared on charges of murder, manslaughter and assault with intent to rob at the Old Bailey today.
Man found not guilty of Damilola murder
A 20-year-old man has been found not guilty of the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor in south London. Hassan Jihad was cleared on charges of murder, manslaughter and assault with intent to rob at the Old Bailey today.
09 April 2008
Murdered Damilola's Mother Dies
Gloria Taylor, the mother of murdered Damilola Taylor, has died following a suspected heart attack. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that Mrs Taylor, 57, was taken to hospital after she collapsed while out walking with her husband in Shooters Hill, south east London on Wednesday night. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital.
Murdered Damilola's Mother Dies
Gloria Taylor, the mother of murdered Damilola Taylor, has died following a suspected heart attack. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that Mrs Taylor, 57, was taken to hospital after she collapsed while out walking with her husband in Shooters Hill, south east London on Wednesday night. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital.
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