Five teens charged with murder of Newcastle United fan Gordon Gault four months after mum’s Wembley campaign

Five teenagers have been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Newcastle United fan Gordon Gault, nearly eight months after the tragic attack in Elswick last year.

Gordon's mother Dionne Barrett has spent months fighting for justice after losing her son, described as a 'diamond of a boy', which included taking a knives down campaign to Wembley Stadium for the Carabao Cup final.

A total of 11 suspects have now been charged in connection with the incident. Six males all aged 16 or 17 have been charged with murder and five other males between 16 and 28 have been charged with violent disorder.

On February 26, when Newcastle United played Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, Dionne travelled to London and circulated leaflets on Wembley Way pleading for information to aid the investigation. Prior to the campaign, Brent Council waived the £2,675 fee required to leaflet in the area and celebrities such as Denise Welch and Gaz Beadle shared their support for the family.

Gordon was a huge Newcastle United fan, even naming his dog after midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and friends and family both at Wembley and at home applauded in the 14th minute of that match in the teenager's honour.

Northumbria Police had initially made 20 arrests, after Gordon died after six days in hospital following the stabbing, but were unable to formally charge anyone with his murder.

Ahead of heading to Wembley Stadium, Dionne said: “We are talking about kids here. Some of them will be frightened.

"They have seen someone who has lost their life, murdered in front of their own eyes. A lot of them are scared because it could they think happen to them if they open their mouths.

“They are scared of being a grass. You are not a grass. You just have to do this. It could be your best friend or family who is murdered.

“This has happened outside of a park where there is a swimming baths. It could be another child next.”

Following his tragic death, tributes poured into Gordon as ‘a diamond of a boy’, a ‘one of a kind boy’ and ‘life taken too young’ whilst vigils took place in Elswick, local artists penned songs in his memory and anti-knife crime graffiti appeared on walls.

Following the murder charges Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our overarching aim has always been to secure justice for Gordon’s family and to ascertain the full circumstances of what happened that night.

“As a result of our extensive enquiries into the events on the night Gordon died, yesterday we carried out a number of further arrests and five males have since been charged with violent disorder. That takes the total number of suspects charged in connection with this investigation to 11.

“As ever, I would ask that everyone respects the ongoing investigation and refrains from any speculation or commentary that could jeopardise the live legal proceedings.

“I would like to thank everyone who has come forward to assist our investigation so far and would ask that the public continue to work with us. As families, please continue to have those conversations about the consequences of knife crime and report anybody you believe is carrying a weapon.”