Boy 15 becomes first person charged with riot following nationwide disorder

A 15-year-old boy has become the first person to be charged with riot following the recent nationwide disorder.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to appear at South Tyneside Youth Court on Thursday where he will be asked to enter a plea to the charge.

Rioting is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – double that of a charge of violent disorder.

The boy, from Sunderland, is accused of riot following disorder in his home city on August 2.

Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “This defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot, and as these are live proceedings we remind all concerned that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Published: 15/08/2024 by Radio NewsHub