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09/10/2006
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. During a previous trial in April, alongside another defendant Hassan Jihad, 20, they had been cleared of murder and assault with attempt to rob.
However, the jury could not agree on the manslaughter charge and another trial was ordered.
Mr Jihad was cleared of all charges.
Commenting on the verdict, Damilola's father, Richard, said: "We question whether these sentences will act as an appropriate deterrent to other potential criminals."
Damilola died after being found bleeding from a wound in his leg in a stairwell near his home in Peckham in November 2000. It appeared that he had been stabbed in the thigh with a broken bottle.
The schoolboy had only moved to Britain with his family from Nigeria a few months before the attack.
The Preddie brothers had been arrested a few days after the attack, but were released without charge. Four other youths stood trial for his killing, but were cleared in 2002.
The Preddie brothers were re-arrested last year, following the discovery of blood and fibres from Damilola were found on their clothes.
Commenting on the decision, Detective Superintendent Nick Ephgrave said: "Today marks the end of a long and difficult journey for Richard and Gloria Taylor and their search for the truth. It is also good news for the people of Peckham, where the spectre of Damilola's killers has hung around them for several years.
"It is also a good day for the team, some of whom have spent six years on this case. For all these people, justice has been done."
(KMcA/SP)
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. During a previous trial in April, alongside another defendant Hassan Jihad, 20, they had been cleared of murder and assault with attempt to rob.
However, the jury could not agree on the manslaughter charge and another trial was ordered.
Mr Jihad was cleared of all charges.
Commenting on the verdict, Damilola's father, Richard, said: "We question whether these sentences will act as an appropriate deterrent to other potential criminals."
Damilola died after being found bleeding from a wound in his leg in a stairwell near his home in Peckham in November 2000. It appeared that he had been stabbed in the thigh with a broken bottle.
The schoolboy had only moved to Britain with his family from Nigeria a few months before the attack.
The Preddie brothers had been arrested a few days after the attack, but were released without charge. Four other youths stood trial for his killing, but were cleared in 2002.
The Preddie brothers were re-arrested last year, following the discovery of blood and fibres from Damilola were found on their clothes.
Commenting on the decision, Detective Superintendent Nick Ephgrave said: "Today marks the end of a long and difficult journey for Richard and Gloria Taylor and their search for the truth. It is also good news for the people of Peckham, where the spectre of Damilola's killers has hung around them for several years.
"It is also a good day for the team, some of whom have spent six years on this case. For all these people, justice has been done."
(KMcA/SP)
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07 January 2005
Three youths remanded in Damilola murder case
Three youths have appeared in court, charged with the murder of ten-year-old schoolboy, Damilola Taylor. The three teenagers from Peckham, Hassan Jihad, 19, and two brothers, aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were remanded in custody.
Three youths remanded in Damilola murder case
Three youths have appeared in court, charged with the murder of ten-year-old schoolboy, Damilola Taylor. The three teenagers from Peckham, Hassan Jihad, 19, and two brothers, aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were remanded in custody.
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 August 2006
Brothers found guilty of Damilola killing
Two teenage brothers have been found guilty of killing ten-year-old Damilola Taylor in 2000. Danny and Ricky Preddie, now aged 18 and 19, were convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. The brothers, who were 12 and 13 at the time of the killing, were cleared of murder and assault in April. They had denied the charges against them.
Brothers found guilty of Damilola killing
Two teenage brothers have been found guilty of killing ten-year-old Damilola Taylor in 2000. Danny and Ricky Preddie, now aged 18 and 19, were convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. The brothers, who were 12 and 13 at the time of the killing, were cleared of murder and assault in April. They had denied the charges against them.
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.
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.
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