Former Lawrence suspect is jailed

A FORMER suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence has been jailed for more than six years over a £4m drugs plot.

Neil Acourt was arrested in relation the racist attack on the 18-year-old, who was stabbed to death by a gang of white men at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993.

The 41-year-old, also known as Neil Stuart, was described as the “man at the top” of the scheme funnelling huge amounts of cannabis to the North East of England.

Acourt, of Eltham, south-east London, was jailed for six years and three months at Kingston Crown Court yesterday for conspiracy to supply a Class B drug.

The judge, Recorder Paul Clements, described him as being at a very high level in the plot, with others reporting to him.

He added: “Perhaps one of the problems with you is that, for various reasons, you have heard too much negativity about you and begun to believe the negative publicity about you.

“Perhaps it’s time to walk away from that aspect of your personality and whatever or whoever it is controlling those parts.”

He described the plot as a preplanned and concerted effort to move substantial amounts of cannabis “that in any estimation would have kept the people of the Newcastle area in spliffs for many a long day”.

The two-year conspiracy involved dozens of 600-mile round trips from London to the South Shields area, driving drugs up and bringing cash back. Acourt’s co-defendants were also handed jail terms for their various roles.

The judge added: “Just look at you all – all six of you – all thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.”