Five more suspects charged in connection with death of Gordon Gault
Five more suspects have been charged in connection with the death of 14-year-old Gordon Gault – taking the total number to 11.
On the night of November 9 last year, officers received a report of an assault in the Elswick area of Newcastle.
Emergency services attended Elswick Road and found Gordon with injuries consistent with having been caused by a bladed article. Sadly, six days after the assault, Gordon died in hospital.
A murder investigation was subsequently launched. Last week, six males – all aged 16 or 17 – were each charged with murder.
They appeared before magistrates in North Tyneside and were remanded until their next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court later this month.
Yesterday (Wednesday), as part of the investigation into Gordon’s death, officers arrested five other males who have since each been charged with violent disorder.
The suspects, aged between 16 and 28, are due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle today (Thursday).
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our over-arching 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.”