Schoolboy, 15, turns into first particular person to be charged with riot

A 15-year-old schoolboy has become the first person to be charged with riot following this summer’s violent disorder outbreaks across the country – and could now face a longer sentence of up to 10 years. 

He is accused in relation to disturbances in Sunderland on August 2, the Crown Prosecution Service said this afternoon.

And police warned people who have already been convicted over the Southport-linked disorder could be ‘brought before the courts again and charged with the most serious offence possible’, should further evidence emerge. 

The move comes after a judge yesterday called for those who played a key role in the UK riots to be charged with offences that carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years instead of five.

Judge John Thackray KC said prosecutors should look at charging people with riot instead of violent disorder after imprisoning a man who kicked a female police officer to the ground during violence in Hull.

The Recorder of Hull made the remarks after jailing Connor Whiteley, 26, for three years for playing a ‘prominent role’ in the ‘racist, hate-fuelled mob violence’ that unfolded in the city on August 3. 

Now Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, has said: ‘Following a review of further evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has today laid a charge of riot in relation to a 15-year-old boy, following disorder that took place in Sunderland on August 2.

‘This is the first such charge to be authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service in the wake of recent unrest.’

The teenager had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday and was due to be sentenced today, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told this afternoon.

Chris Wilson, defending him, said: ‘This morning I was contacted by the Crown Prosecution Service and informed that it was the intention of the prosecution to lay a charge of riot. This raises a number of complex issues.’

Mr Wilson asked for an adjournment of two weeks to discuss the evidence fully with the boy, who cannot be named due to his age.

He said the situation ‘doesn’t sit comfortably with me, professionally or personally’, adding: ‘Clearly there are complex issues, and those issues may well have far wider repercussions.’

Up until now most defendants have been charged with violent disorder, which means a person intends to use or threaten violence or is aware their conduct may be violent or threaten violence.

A person is guilty of riot if intending to use violence or being aware their conduct may be violent.

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘I hope this sends a really strong message that, no matter how old you are, if you took part in the recent appalling events in Sunderland, you will face really serious charges.

‘Our investigations team are doing a fantastic job trawling through the hours and hours of footage and intelligence we have from that night.

‘I would like to thank the public who have continued to supply us with images, video and information to help us build that evidential picture.

‘The team have worked amazingly quickly, with our criminal justice partners, to arrest those responsible and bring them before the courts.

‘However, as that evidence picture continues to build, if it becomes apparent that an individual may have been involved in further criminality, they will be brought before the courts again and charged with the most serious offence possible.

‘Our communities and my officers, staff and volunteers, suffered horrendously that night and those responsible need to be held fully to account.’

More than 1,100 people have now been arrested over the recent violence, with almost 650 charged, the National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed today.

Courts have continued to be packed with defendants after far-right yobs took to high streets in towns and cities across the UK following the killings of three young girls in Southport on July 29.

The attack was wrongly blamed on a fictitious Islamist migrant, a theory spread through online misinformation.

Violence broke out in cities across England and also in Northern Ireland – and has been followed by a hundreds of charges including for children as young as 12, while those arrested also include a 69-year-old accused of vandalism in Liverpool.

The judge who yesterday suggested riot charge was speaking at Hull Crown Court as he jailed Connor Whiteley, 26, for three years for playing a ‘prominent role’ in the ‘racist, hate-fuelled mob violence’ that unfolded in the city on August 3.

The court heard how Whiteley was seen at the front of a group confronting police who were trying to protect a hotel known to house asylum seekers, and was seen charging at officers. 

He was also part of a group that targeted a garage, setting cars alight and threatening staff, who were forced to lock themselves inside.

Sentencing him at Hull Crown Court yesterday, Judge Thackray said: ‘The prosecution do need to look, for those who are playing front and central roles, at the alternative charge of riot rather than violent disorder.’

Other towns and cities where violence broke out include Manchester, Bolton, Rotherham, Nottingham and Bristol.