Lords Rule On Murder Conviction

English was 15 at the time of the killing four years ago and is believed to be the youngest person convicted of murdering a policeman.

His test case has been compared to that of Derek Bentley, who was executed in 1953 for the murder of a policeman carried out by someone else.

It will force the courts to re-examine the laws on "joint enterprise" but the Law Lords will only give their decision today, not their reasons, which will be delivered later.

Adrian Clarke, English's solicitor, said: "These were tragic events which generated an enormous amount of public concern.

"We believe Philip was wrongly convicted of murder because of the confusion in the law, and he is now serving a life sentence for actions that he was not responsible for.

"Stupid he may have been - but he is not a murderer. We hope the House of Lords will put things right."

English, who is now in Moorlands Prison, near Doncaster, was found guilty of murder at Teesside Crown Court along with Paul Weddle, then aged 25, who stabbed Sgt Bill Forth to death in March 1993.

Sgt Forth had answered a call to a domestic dispute at a house on the Cloverhill Estate, Gateshead.

English had been arrested after battering Sgt Forth with a fencing stave when he tried to arrest Weddle but the stabbing came after English had been led away in handcuffs.

At his trial English said he did not know his companion was armed and never intended that Sgt Forth should suffer any serious harm.

• Teenager Jailed For Police Killing Celebrates Freedom - Friday July 18, 2:02 AM
• Teenager's Police Murder Conviction Quashed By Law Lords - Thursday July 17, 5:04 PM