Tuesday was Anthony Walker’s night to wash up and he threw himself into the chore with characteristic zest and good humour. Even if they are not charged, those who test positive must attend classes designed to wean them off drugs. Refusal to co-operate could lead to a three month prison sentence or a fine of up to £2,500.. A zero-tolerance policy on cannabis is being introduced in Brixton, less than two years after the south London borough pioneered a scheme to relax the law. The sentence was increased because of the racial elements, and the fact that it was a joint decision to take the axe from the car.. Suspected criminals will be tested for drug use before they have been charged with any offence under new police powers. Ministers said that this would help addicts to break their habit and reduce crime, but critics said it was an invasion of privacy.

From today, anyone arrested on suspicion of acquisitive property crimes, such as mugging or burglary, must be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine. He also accepted that Taylor’s intention was to cause serious harm rather than to kill Anthony. Because Barton is a juvenile, the starting point for his tariff was 12 years, and there is no automatic doubling for racial motivation, as was the case with Taylor. Mr Justice Leveson gave him credit for his young age and the fact that he intended to do serious harm rather than kill. Although the crime was racially aggravated and premeditated, Taylor received credit for his guilty plea, which the judge said “required real courage”.

The second most important feature of mitigation, he said, was Taylor’s young age and limited intellectual capacity. “The terror evident in Marcus Binns and Louise Thompson proves beyond all reasonable doubt that this was not simply two groups bumping into each other – the word used by both defendants to the police designed to minimise their responsibility. “I am sure that the fear they generated was deliberate and the plan was premeditated to the extent that it was formed in the car.” In explaining how he calculated the minimum tariffs, Mr Justice Leveson said thestarting point for Taylor was 30 years. He said: “I am sure this act was racially aggravated and premeditated.” Members of the Walker family were visibly upset when the judge said: ” They both crept into the park and I am sure they set a trap which was sprung as Anthony Walker, Marcus Binns and (Anthony’s girlfriend) Louise Thompson came along the path. Mr Justice Leveson confirmed his comments yesterday that he considered the murder to be racially aggravated.