The judge who today sentenced Stephen Lawrence’s killers has condemned the actions of the “racist thuggish gang” who brutally murdered the black teenager.

Judge Colman Treacy said: "The murder of Steven Lawrence on the night of 22nd April was a terrible and evil crime.

"Recently the Lord Chief justice described it as a ‘murder which scarred the conscience of the nation’.

"A totally innocent 18-year-old on the threshold of a promising life was brutally cut down in the street in front of eye witnesses by a racist thuggish gang. You were both members of that gang.

"I have no doubt that you fully subscribed to its views and attitudes. The Footscray DVD with its disgusting and shocking scenes and the nature of the attack convince me of that."

Judge Treacy added: "The crime was committed for no other reason than racial hatred.

"You did not know Stephen Lawrence or Duwayne Brooks. Neither of them had done anything to harm, threaten or offend you in any way apart from being black and making their way peaceably to the bus-stop.

"At least one of your group was armed with a lethal knife that night. I am sure you were aware of that.

"The Footscray tapes, although recorded in 1994, reveal the sort of people you were and associated with in 1993.

"They reveal not only violent racist attitudes but also casual accepting attitude to the carrying and use of knives. They reveal a group acceptance of the use of knives to threaten or harm black people."

He continued: "The brief but coordinated nature of the attack by your group confirms that view.

"A racist taunt followed by a group charge towards the two young black men, and the swallowing up of Stephen Lawrence, surrounded and put to the ground by all of you, shows a deliberately concerted attack. "

Addressing the murderers judge Treacy added: "Neither of you has shown the slightest regret or remorse. Each of you has lied to the court. I do not punish you for that, but this is not a case where there is any mitigation available for contrition."

The "Footscray tapes" showing undercover footage of Gary Dobson and David Norris expressing "violent racist attitudes" and "a group acceptance of the use of knives to threaten or harm black people"