Six guilty of So Solid fan's murder

Six men faced life imprisonment at the Old Bailey today for stabbing a teenager to death, thanks to a breakthrough police inquiry into black murders.

Four months after the still unsolved murder of Damilola Taylor, detectives finally succeeded in breaking down the barriers of suspicion erected against them by the black community in Peckham.

The victim, 18-year-old DJ Marcus Hall, was killed in a street battle after a show by controversial band So Solid Crew. He had been fatally wounded but his face was still slashed in a "goodbye gesture".

Mr Hall had arrived too late to be admitted to the Atmosphere club, Luton. Violence errupted as clubgoers spilled onto the streets in the early hours and Mr Hall was left with nine stab wounds in the back and a fractured skull.

Bedfordshire police launched their largest and most costly murder inquiry but were confronted initially by a wall of silence in the victim's community.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Garwood said: "It was important for us to build bridges not only with Marcus's family and friends who were witnesses gut also other key members of the black community in Peckham."

The victim's mother, Icelyn Wilson, finally persuaded black youths to come forward.

Mr Garwood said: "Because of her bravery and determination that Marcus's killers should be brought to justice our job of working with the community was made much easier."

The jury today convicted Errol O'Flaherty, 25, from Notting Hill, Marlon Mason, 23, from Ladbroke Grove, Philip Ryan, 20, Mitchell Tousaint, 22, Kimani Vassell, 20, all from Luton, and Leon Licorish, 20, from Acton, who had all denied murder.

Mason and O'Flaherty were also found guilty of wounding another man in the attack and all six defendants were further convicted of violent disorder.

They were being sentenced by Judge Brian Barker this afternoon.