Two teenagers jailed for the death of 14-year-old Gordon Gault in Newcastle

Two teenagers have been put behind bars after they were found guilty of the manslaughter of 14-year-old Gordon Gault.

Emergency services were called to the Elswick area of Newcastle on the evening of November 9, 2022. following a report of an assault.

When they arrived, they found Gordon with a single stab wound to his upper right arm - he sadly died in hospital six days later.

Police launched an investigation and subsequently charged six males with murder, as well as wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm in relation to a second victim.

All six denied the charges against them.

The complex investigation saw weapons seized, officers looking through 3,200 hours of CCTV footage, examining more than 125 mobile phones and devices, as well as arresting 21 people and taking more than 1,000 statements.

One of those charged, Carlos Neto, 18, Manchester Road East, Little Hulton, admitted injuring Gordon that evening but claimed it was in self-defence.

Neto injured Gordon with a machete, which was supplied by Lawson Natty, 18, of Eastgarth, in Newcastle.

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Both were found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and unlawful wounding in relation to the second victim.

Four other teenagers who stood trial were found not guilty of all charges.

On Friday, March 8, Neto and Natty, who were 17 at the time of the offence, were jailed at Newcastle Crown Court.

Neto was sentenced to nine years and two months behind bars, while Natty received a sentence of two years and eight months.

Following the sentencing, the Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely tragic case in which a teenager had his future taken away.

“Our thoughts very much remain with his loved ones and we will continue to support them at this extremely difficult time.

“Gordon was the youngest person present when a dispute culminated in this senseless violence and loss of life.

“Violence has absolutely no place in our communities – the impact as we have seen with this case can be utterly devastating.

“The lives of the two people who have today been jailed for his manslaughter and those who care about them have also been changed forever by the decisions they made.”