'Knife crime has to stop' - Northumbria PCC's message following Gordon Gault murder trial

The Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Kim McGuinness, has called for "knife crime to stop" as 14-year-old Gordon Gault's killers are convicted.

Carlos Neto and Lawson Natty, both aged 18, were found guilty of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, January 15. They were also found guilty of unlawful wounding with intent in relation to a second victim.

Both teenagers were remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

Following their convictions, the Northumbria PCC has called for more to be done over tackling knife crime in the North East of England.

Kim McGuinness said: “Knives impact everyone. Losing a child like this is the worst thing that could happen to any family and my heart goes out to Gordon’s family and others who have lost loved ones and whose lives have been forever changed as a result of violence.

“This has been a very challenging and complex investigation for everyone involved and my thanks go to our police officers and everyone who has worked hard on this difficult case.

“As a region we have been rocked by a series of heart-breaking deaths as a result of people carrying knives.

"Each tragedy reminds us how important all the anti-knife campaigning, diversion programmes and educational work we are doing is and this work won’t stop.

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“We need everyone’s support to fight this crime though and so I urge parents, teachers, siblings, everyone - please have conversations about the consequences of knife crime - it’s more dangerous to carry a knife than it is not to.

"Knife crime has to stop.”