THE teenage killers of Damilola Taylor were facing jail last night - six years, £16m and three trials after the schoolboy was stabbed on a south London estate.

Ricky and Danny Preddie were first arrested days after ten-year-old Damilola bled to death after being cut with a broken bottle on the rundown North Peckham estate.

The brothers were 12 and 13 at the time and part of a notorious and violent Peckham gang, but were released by police without charge - despite being implicated by fellow youths at the time.

Last year, the Preddies were re-arrested by police after a second forensic investigation found spots of Damilola's blood and fibres from his uniform on their clothing.

Yesterday, a jury at the Old Bailey took only one day to convict the brothers, now aged 19 and 18, of the manslaughter of Damilola on November 27, 2000.

The brothers had denied the charge, but a combination of forensic evidence and witnesses - who said the Preddies had confessed to the crime - produced a compelling case.

They now face life sentences for a crime that shocked the nation.

Damilola had arrived in Britain from Nigeria a few months before he was killed. He was described as a sensitive and exuberant boy, who loved life and lit up any room he walked into.

Last night, his parents Richard and Gloria, who have supported police throughout the six-year inquiry, said they hoped their son's "gentle soul could now rest in peace".

"We, the family, feel that nobody can ever return him to us, but it is a great comfort that justice has finally been done for Damilola," Mr Taylor said.

Damilola bled to death after a broken beer bottle was used to slash his thigh as he made his way home from an after-school club in Peckham library.

The shard of glass was twisted into Damilola's leg, but was not intended to kill him. But, because he was only small, the glass tore through his flesh and by the time he had limped along the road and up two flights of a filthy stairwell, he was near death.

He was found slumped against a wall by carpenter Guillermo Casal, who had followed a trail of blood.

Damilola collapsed into his arms and his last words were "I'm okay, I'm okay."

As Mr Casal waited for help, he looked down to the ground where one of a group of three youths in hoodies made a cutting gesture across his thigh.

At the time, Ricky Preddie was being monitored by the youth offending services and Danny Preddie had been on a 24-hour curfew at nearby children's home, but was adept at giving staff the slip.

When the police were investigating Damilola's death, fellow suspects told them: "Ask the Preddies."

However, vital leads were missed by a forensic laboratory and investigators.

Four other youths, all aged under 18, stood trial at the Old Bailey in 2002 and were cleared after the chief prosecution witness was labelled a liar. Last year, fresh forensic tests implicated the Preddies in Damilola's death.

The brothers, from Peckham, had been on conditional bail since April when they were cleared of murder and assault with intent to rob.

The jury could not agree on manslaughter and the six-week retrial began in June.

Another defendant, Hassan Jihad, 20, from Peckham, was cleared of all charges following a three-month trial in April.

Commander Dave Johnston, head of homicide and serious crime at the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Directorate, said yesterday: "Justice has finally been reached for Damilola.

"His violent death in 2000 sent shockwaves throughout London and beyond. For his family, it was a very personal tragedy played out in a very public arena and I would like to acknowledge the courage and dignity with which Gloria and Richard Taylor have supported us throughout the police investigations."

Heidi Watson, chief executive of the Damilola Taylor Trust, launched a national anti-knife pledge, asking anyone involved with young people to set up pledge walls so youngsters can sign up and vow they will never carry a weapon, in memory of Damilola.

She said: "This act of mindless violence took away the life of a child with huge potential and a future which I believe would have positively impacted on us all."

A Damilola Taylor Centre in Peckham is used by hundreds of young people.

An inquiry into the investigation has been launched.

Sentencing was adjourned and the Preddie brothers were remanded in custody.