'Stephen isn't here to see his milestone 50th birthday - and that's a stain on his killers'

THE father of Stephen Lawrence today spoke of his son's legacy and the family's enduring heartbreak ahead of what would have been the teenager's 50th birthday.

- Anthony France

Dr Neville Lawrence said the world was robbed of a "special" young man "who loved people for who they are".

Stephen was 18 when he was stabbed to death in a racist attack by a group of young white men on April 22, 1993, in Eltham, south London.

The bungled Metropolitan Police investigation into his killing was hampered by institutional racism, incompetence and alleged corruption. Only two of his killers - Gary Dobson and David Norris - have ever been brought to justice.

Dr Lawrence said that the racist murder of aspiring architect Stephen - who would have turned 50 tomorrow denied him a lifelong dream of skyscrapers on London's skyline bearing the Lawrence name, seeing his son get married or having grandchildren.

Speaking from his home in Jamaica, Dr Lawrence, 82, said: "I wanted to be an architect but my parents didn't have enough money to send me to university.

When Stephen decided he wanted to do that, I was so proud.

"I was hoping by now some of the buildings I would see on walks along London's skyline might be ones he organised and built. Perhaps even stand there and overhear people say, "That's a Stephen Lawrence tower.