Lawrence suspect jailed for theft

The brothers were caught with a stolen Range Rover by police

A suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder has been jailed at Croydon Crown Court for over two years for a pub burglary and handling a stolen vehicle.

David Norris, 27, from Chislehurst, and his friend Kenny Welsh, 33, of Catford, south-east London received 13 months for the pub burglary in Keston, Kent.

Norris and his brother Clifford, 25, were given 12 months for handling a stolen Range Rover.

David Norris was arrested but never charged over Stephen Lawrence's murder.

These were greedy offences and I'm afraid they must attract prison sentences. Judge Simon Pratt

The court heard the Norris brothers were caught by police in a south-east London car park with the stolen Range Rover in January this year.

They told officers they were jump-starting it for a friend despite the manual being found in David Norris's white van.

The pair pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods ten days before they were due to stand trial.

David Norris was caught with Welsh carrying the load of stolen beer in February this year, while on bail.

They had been fleeing from another Keston pub where they had set an alarm off as they tried to break-in.

'Depressed and paranoid'

The pair admitted two counts of burglary and were given a nine-month sentence, to run concurrently, for their failed break-in attempt.

Welsh was also told to he must first serve 33 months of a previous nine-year sentence for armed robbery, for which he was released on licence some months ago.

The defence told the court Norris had been unable to find employment since being arrested in the Lawrence murder inquiry

Mark Gatley said David Norris was "depressed" and "paranoid" and called the burglary an impulsive offence by a man "without any realistic means of particularly well remunerated work".

Judge Simon Pratt said: "These were greedy offences and I'm afraid they must attract prison sentences."