Four charged with Damilola murder
Four youths have been charged with the murder of schoolboy Damilola Taylor, British police said.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Shepherd said: ‘‘Earlier this morning detectives from the Serious Crime Group (South) of the Metropolitan Police Service visited various addresses in London and arrested four juveniles in connection with their investigation into the murder of Damilola Taylor on Monday November 27 2000.
‘‘One youth is aged 16 years, two of the youths are 15-years-old and the fourth one is 14-years-old.
‘‘One is of African origin, one is of mixed race and two are of Mediterranean origin.
‘‘Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, the four juveniles have now been charged with the murder of Damilola Taylor on November 27 2000.
‘‘I would like to make a special plea to the media in relation to the coverage of these developments and urge everyone involved in reporting this news to ensure that the identities of these individuals is not revealed.
‘‘They are juveniles and as such I have a duty to remind you of the special care that needs to be taken in reporting these developments.
‘‘I would also like to express my thanks to members of the local community, our team of independent advisers and the media, all of whom have helped bring us to this point today.
‘‘There is still much more work to be done and I would repeat my appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward and contact the incident room on 0208 247 4567 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
‘‘Mr and Mrs Taylor have been kept informed of developments but asked that the media at this time respect their wish for privacy and allow the judicial process to take its course.’’
Mr and Mrs Taylor’s solicitor, Neil O’May, said: ‘‘Mr and Mrs Taylor and their children Tunde and Bemi are relieved to learn of today’s developments in the investigation into the death of their dear son, Damilola.
‘‘The last six months have been an extremely anxious time for them.
‘‘They trust the courts now to ensure that justice is done.
‘‘The Taylor family continue to ask that anyone who has information about the death of their son, who has not already come forward, to do so now.’’
