CYP Now - Youth crime: Damilola's killers

The two teenage brothers convicted of the manslaughter of Damilola Taylor had dysfunctional upbringings and were well known to the authorities. Tom de Castella looks at the circumstances that led to the death of the 10-year-old and whether any lessons have been learned by the agencies involved with the brothers.

Both the Preddies were on bail on the day of the murder: Ricky was on a 12-month supervision order and Danny on a 24-hour curfew at the Abbey Street Children's Home, run by Southwark Council, awaiting five counts of robbery. The latter already had a conviction for assault and had escaped trial for attempted rape on a technicality. On 27 November 2000, Danny was in court for breaching his curfew. Hours later he again left the children's home without permission, met his brother and killed Damilola. Five days later, the Preddies were arrested on suspicion of murder. But forensic scientists missed vital clues linking them with the killing, they were released and different young people were charged and acquitted.

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