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Lawrence killer to remain in UK Lawrence killer to remain in UK
(about 3 hours later)
The man who knifed head teacher Philip Lawrence to death has been allowed to stay in the UK after winning an appeal against deportation.The man who knifed head teacher Philip Lawrence to death has been allowed to stay in the UK after winning an appeal against deportation.
Learco Chindamo, 26, is serving a life sentence for killing Mr Lawrence outside his school in Maida Vale, north London, in 1995.Learco Chindamo, 26, is serving a life sentence for killing Mr Lawrence outside his school in Maida Vale, north London, in 1995.
Chindamo's lawyers argued that deporting him to Italy, where he was born, would breach his human rights.Chindamo's lawyers argued that deporting him to Italy, where he was born, would breach his human rights.
The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled in his favour.The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled in his favour.
Chindamo was jailed for life in 1996, with a minimum 12-year term, so he could be released early next year if the Parole Board decides it is safe to do so. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed that the courts have not upheld our decision to pursue deportation in this case."
The Home Office has five days to lodge its intention to appeal.
Chindamo, who was jailed for life in 1996 with a minimum 12-year term, could be released early next year if the Parole Board decides it is safe to do so.
Learco Chindamo came to the UK when he was six
Chindamo was told the news at the weekend and was said to be "pleased" because his "family and life were in the UK".Chindamo was told the news at the weekend and was said to be "pleased" because his "family and life were in the UK".
He said he hoped the decision would not "cause grief" to Philip Lawrence's widow Frances or to the rest of his family, to whom he expressed "deepest sympathy". In a statement he said he hoped the decision would not "cause grief" to Philip Lawrence's widow Frances or to the rest of his family and went on to express his deepest sympathy.
But Mrs Lawrence has said she is "devastated " and "demoralised" by the ruling.
Chindamo came to the UK when he was six. His father is Italian, his mother is from the Philippines and he has an Italian passport.Chindamo came to the UK when he was six. His father is Italian, his mother is from the Philippines and he has an Italian passport.
Learco Chindamo came to the UK when he was sixHe was 15 years old when he stabbed Mr Lawrence to death, as the head teacher defended a pupil outside St George's Roman Catholic comprehensive school. He was 15 years old when he stabbed Mr Lawrence as the head teacher defended a pupil outside St George's Roman Catholic comprehensive school.
His lawyers said the Home Office wanted Chindamo to be returned to Italy when he was freed from prison.His lawyers said the Home Office wanted Chindamo to be returned to Italy when he was freed from prison.
But his lawyers argued that the move was illegal as Chindamo was from a European Union country and had lived in the UK for 10 years by 1995. I feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this Frances Lawrence
The Home Office has five days to lodge an appeal against the tribunal's decision. But they argued that the move was illegal as Chindamo was from a European Union country and had already lived in the UK for 10 years by 1995.
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "We believe that foreign prisoners who have committed serious crimes should face automatic deportation from the UK at the end of their sentence.
"We will study the judgement and make a decision as to whether to appeal in due course."
It was the second time the government had tried to remove Chindamo - an attempt in 2001 was blocked because it began too soon after he had been sentenced.It was the second time the government had tried to remove Chindamo - an attempt in 2001 was blocked because it began too soon after he had been sentenced.
The Home Office has not been available for comment. Mrs Lawrence said: "I am unutterably depressed that the Human Rights Act has failed to encompass the rights of my family."
A year after her husband's death Mrs Lawrence set up the Philip Lawrence Awards to honour young people's efforts in tackling social issues.
She added: "I am deeply concerned for everything I have worked for, including the setting up of the Philip Lawrence Awards.
"I feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this."