Warning for Lawrence murder jury

An Old Bailey judge yesterday warned jurors due to try three men accused of murdering the schoolboy Stephen Lawrence not to be influenced by publicity about the case.

The jury of eight men and four women was sworn in after delays caused by the court running out of potential jurors.Checks had to be made to ensure they did not come from the south-east part of London where the 18-year-old died.

The trial, a private prosecution brought by Stephen's parents, is due to start today. It is believed to be only the fourth private prosecution for murder in 130 years. Neil Acourt, 20, Luke Knight, 18, and Gary Dobson, 20, all of Eltham, south-east London, deny murdering Stephen in April 1993.