Last updated at 5:09 PM on 3rd January 2012
As the foreman of the jury said 'guilty', the grief of Doreen and Neville Lawrence became clear as the couple wept openly in court.
Nearly 20 years have passed since they lost their son, but never have they lost their composure despite the torture they have been put through since Stephen was murdered.
Initially they appeared to show little emotion, but as the verdict slowly sank in, both began to weep. Mr Lawrence eventually covered his eyes and Mrs Lawrence was handed a hanky.
Mrs Lawrence said she was no longer angry but the sadness over her son's death would never leave her adding that anger was 'something that eats away at you and is not a healthy thing.'
'In the early days I would be angry, definitely, but somehow I don't feel that anger any more,' she told Sky News in a pre-recorded interview. 'The sadness is always there but the anger is not there.'
Speaking outside the court, Doreen Lawrence said: 'Had the police done their job properly, I would have spent the last 18 years grieving for my son rather than fighting to get his killers to court'
Mrs Lawrence has also said that she is no longer angry, but is still filled with sadness over her son's death in 1993
Grieving: Doreen and Neville Lawrence both wept as the foreman at the Old Bailey said the word 'guilty'
Stephen Lawrence's mother Doreen thanked the jury for the verdicts today but said it was not a cause for celebration.
Referring to the initial inquiry by police, Mrs Lawrence said today: 'Had the police done their job properly, I would have spent the last 18 years grieving for my son rather than fighting to get his killers to court.'
She added: 'How can I celebrate when my son lies buried?'
Mr Lawrence said he was 'full of joy and relief that two of my son's killers had been convicted' as a statement was read out by his solicitors.
He said he was conscious there were five or six attackers that night and that he didn't think he would 'be able to rest until they are brought to justice'.
His parents have suffered heartbreaking disappointment in their battle to bring the killers to justice, including an ill-fated private prosecution that they attempted in 1996.
Throughout the trial of Gary Dobson and David Norris they, along with surviving son Stuart, have maintained a quiet and dignified composure despite sitting feet from two men accused of the racist murder of Stephen.
Stephen's parents, Neville and Doreen, pictured with his brother, Stuart, at a memorial service at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church to mark the 15th anniversary since his death
Grief stricken: Neville and Doreen have had a long battle for justice. This picture was taken one week after his death on April 22, 1993
The Lawrence's fought alongside the Commission for Racial Equality, pictured here at a press conference in 1997, before being recognised with OBEs five years later
Stephen in his favourite t-shirt when he was about 16 years old
They sat at the back of Court 16 in the Old Bailey paying keen attention to proceedings, and when Dobson and Norris were called to give evidence, Neville Lawrence simply moved to another seat to avoid being in touching distance of them.
Mr and Mrs Lawrence, who split up in 1999, have repeatedly been praised for their unstinting campaign to get justice for their son.
Shortly before the verdict in Dobson and Norris' trial, Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Met Police Cressida Dick acknowledged their 'extraordinary' efforts.
She said: 'I pay tribute to Mr and Mrs Lawrence, they've been extraordinary in their tireless campaigning and the immense effort and dignity that they have shown.
'It is as a result of their efforts that the way in which we investigate murder has changed so very much.
'I pay total tribute to Mr and Mrs Lawrence for never giving up and demanding justice for Stephen.'
They were acknowledged as the 'mainspring' of a public inquiry into the original investigation into their son's death.
The resulting Macpherson report said: 'Their persistence and courage in the face of tragedy and bitter disillusionment and disappointment have been outstanding.'
With Prince Charles when he gave the inaugural Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture at the Prince's Foundation in 2000
With then Home Secretary Jack Straw, the Lawrences visit their son's memorial stone in Eltham soon after it was defaced by vandals in 1999
Long battle: In 1998 Mr and Mrs Lawrence addressed a public inquiry at Elephant and Castle shopping centre into the death of their son
The Lawrences, who separately emigrated to England from Jamaica in the 1960s, married in 1972 and had three children - Stephen, Stuart and Georgina.
They were thrust into the limelight after Stephen was killed, being visited by Nelson Mandela days after their son died. Many race campaign groups also latched on to the family.
They themselves became champions of racial equality in the UK, and in 2002 both received OBEs for services to the community.
Doreen Lawrence is director of The Stephen Lawrence Trust, set up in her son's memory, which aims to help disadvantaged young people and create positive relationships in the community.
Just before the trial, the Trust launched the 18:18 campaign to mark 18 years since Stephen's death. It aims to get young people into professions such as law and finance.
Mrs Lawrence holds a copy of Sir William Macpherson's 1999 report of the police inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence
With the family's barrister, Michael Mansfield, in 1999, Mr and Mrs Lawrence went to the Race in the Media awards where he spoke about combating prejudice and institutional racism
Source : dailymail
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