Gordon Gault death: Six people admit affray after violence escalated between two groups

Six people, including five teenagers, have admitted to affray after violence escalated in Newcastle, resulting in the death of 14-year-old Gordon Gault.

On the evening of November 9, 2022, emergency services were called to the Elswick area following a report of an assault.

When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Gordon with a single stab wound to his upper arm.

Despite the work of medical professionals, Gordon sadly died in hospital six days later.

A police investigation revealed that Gordon had been killed following a dispute between two groups.

Following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, two teenagers were convicted of Gordon's manslaughter in January.

Carlos Neto, 18, of Manchester Road East, Little Hulton, admitted wounding Gordon but claimed it was in self-defence.

He and co-accused Lawson Natty, also 18, of Eastgarth, Newcastle, who supplied Neto with the machete used in the attack, were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced next month.

Both were also found guilty of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm in relation to a second victim, who suffered an injury to his back.

Now six people, who were aligned to the same group as Gordon, have all pleaded guilty to affray in the last three days - they were all due to stand trial over their alleged involvement in the incident.

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Liam Thompson, 28, of no fixed abode, Jack Hardy, 18, of Quarry Bank Court in Newcastle, and Raymond Matthew, 18, of Durham Street in Newcastle and three 17-year-old males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.

All six of the defendants will now be sentenced at a later date.

Following the hearing, the Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, said: “The truly devastating impact of violence is clear for all to see with the tragic death of Gordon and our thoughts very much continue to be with his loved ones.

“Gordon was killed after an escalating dispute culminated in violence, with two teenagers subsequently being convicted of his manslaughter.

“We have seen a group of people admit their part in the disgraceful disorder which occurred the evening Gordon, who was the youngest person present, was fatally wounded.

“Violence destroys lives and has absolutely no place in our communities. As a Force, we are committed to reducing the impact of this type of offending.

“This includes targeting those who carry weapons and working with our partners to prevent incidents by educating people about the dangers and consequences of doing so.

“Our message to anyone who does pick up a weapon or involves themselves in violence remains very simple – think again.

“We urge people, to make that choice today.”