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Eight years for Damilola killers Eight years for Damilola killers
(40 minutes later)
Two teenage brothers have each been sentenced to eight years' youth custody for killing schoolboy Damilola Taylor.Two teenage brothers have each been sentenced to eight years' youth custody for killing schoolboy Damilola Taylor.
Danny and Rickie Preddie, aged 18 and 19, of Peckham, south London, were convicted of manslaughter in August.Danny and Rickie Preddie, aged 18 and 19, of Peckham, south London, were convicted of manslaughter in August.
Damilola, 10, bled to death after being cut with a broken bottle in Peckham in 2000. The inquiry into his death has led to three trials and cost £16m.Damilola, 10, bled to death after being cut with a broken bottle in Peckham in 2000. The inquiry into his death has led to three trials and cost £16m.
Sentencing the pair at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Goldring said neither had shown and regret or remorse. Sentencing the pair at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Goldring said neither had shown and any regret or remorse.
Both made a defiant gesture with their handcuffed hands as they were led off to the cells. Addressing Damilola's parents, Richard and Gloria Taylor, the Old Bailey judge said the sentence may seem "inadequate" but that he had to take into account that the pair were only aged 12 and 13 at the time of the killing.
Preddie brothers profile Damilola blood spots 'missed' href="/1/hi/uk/5238738.stm" class="">Six-year trail to conviction Preddie brothers profile Damilola blood spots 'missed'
Mr Justice Goldring asked for the pair to be handcuffed after Ricky threatened the jurors and police when he was convicted. He added that he hoped the sentence would reflect the public's concern about gangs bullying other children.
Nigerian-born Damilola had only been in the country a few months when was found bleeding from a leg wound in a stairwell on a housing estate in Peckham in November 2000. But after the sentencing, Mr Taylor questioned whether the eight year youth custody sentences handed to his son's killers would act as a deterrent.
It is thought he was attacked as he made his way home from an after-school club and was jabbed with a broken beer bottle in his thigh. The judge sentenced the Preddies to eight years' youth custody, minus time already spent in custody - 523 days for Rickie and 330 for Danny.
Mr Justice Goldring said: "No sentence can bring Damilola back. It may be that to Mr and Mrs Taylor, who throughout have conducted themselves with such dignity, the sentence will appear inadequate.
Criticised trial
The judge, who said there was evidence that Damilola had been bullied told the Preddies: "This was an attack by a gang on a young and vulnerable victim.
"It was committed in the streets of London in the middle of the afternoon when children were going home from school.
"It must have been obvious, even to those as young as you, that to thrust a broken bottle at another person, albeit in the area of the lower thigh or leg, ran a risk of significant injury."
This was an attack by a gang on a young and vulnerable victim Mr Justice Goldring Six-year trail to conviction
Both raised their handcuffed hands to friends in the public gallery as they were led off to the cells.
Nigerian-born Damilola had only been in the country a few months when he was found bleeding from a leg wound in a stairwell on a housing estate in Peckham in November 2000.
It is thought he was attacked as he made his way home from an after-school club and was jabbed with a broken beer bottle.
The long investigation included a much-criticised trial of four other youths in 2002 - all of whom were cleared.The long investigation included a much-criticised trial of four other youths in 2002 - all of whom were cleared.
Earlier this year the Preddie brothers and a third defendant, Hassan Jihad, 20, went on trial for murder after new forensic evidence, apparently missed during the first investigation, was found.Earlier this year the Preddie brothers and a third defendant, Hassan Jihad, 20, went on trial for murder after new forensic evidence, apparently missed during the first investigation, was found.
Blood and fibres
Mr Jihad was cleared of all charges, the Preddies were cleared of murder and assault but the jury failed to reach verdicts on the manslaughter charge.Mr Jihad was cleared of all charges, the Preddies were cleared of murder and assault but the jury failed to reach verdicts on the manslaughter charge.
here is nothing any of us can do to remedy the loss of Damilola Taylor or ease Mr and Mrs Taylor's pain Nigel Sweeney QC, defending The brothers were arrested a few days after Damilola was killed but were released without charge.
The brothers, 12 and 13 at the time, were arrested a few days after Damilola was killed but were released without charge.
One was being monitored by the probation service and the other was on bail and detained at a children's home.
They were re-arrested last year when the blood and fibres from Damilola were found on their clothing.They were re-arrested last year when the blood and fibres from Damilola were found on their clothing.
The jury heard they had convictions for robbery, some at knifepoint, and witnesses claimed the brothers had confessed to the killing.The jury heard they had convictions for robbery, some at knifepoint, and witnesses claimed the brothers had confessed to the killing.
A friend of Damilola told police he thought Danny Preddie may have come off worse in a fight with Damilola, who had broken his gold chain.A friend of Damilola told police he thought Danny Preddie may have come off worse in a fight with Damilola, who had broken his gold chain.
Nigel Sweeney QC, defending Rickie, said: "There is nothing any of us can do to remedy the loss of Damilola Taylor or ease Mr and Mrs Taylor's pain. They have suffered with conspicuous dignity."Nigel Sweeney QC, defending Rickie, said: "There is nothing any of us can do to remedy the loss of Damilola Taylor or ease Mr and Mrs Taylor's pain. They have suffered with conspicuous dignity."