15-year-old boy becomes first person to be charged with riot after violent outbreaks

Rioting carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, ensuring its top sentence is double the level compared to a violent disorder.

The 15-year-old, from Sunderland, was accused of rioting after participating in unrest on August 2.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East Gale Gale Gilchrist said: “Following a review of further evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has today laid a charge of riot in relation to a 15-year-old boy, following disorder that took place in Sunderland on August 2.

“This is the first such charge to be authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service in the wake of recent unrest.

“The boy, from Sunderland, will appear at South Tyneside youth court today (Thursday), where he will be asked to enter a plea.

“This defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot, and as these are live proceedings we remind all concerned that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

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Asstistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson of Northumbria Police added: “I hope this sends a really strong message that, no matter how old you are, if you took part in the recent appalling events in Sunderland, you will face really serious charges.

The CPS will also review other cases and will not rule out bringing forward further riot charges.

Judge John Thackray KC yesterday encouraged prosecutors to consider charging offenders with rioting.

The Recorder of Hull intended for leading figures in the recent disorder to face the harsher charge.

More than 1,100 people have been arrested so far and 648 have been charged, the National Police Chiefs' Council confirmed earlier today.

However, the Sunderland teenager is not the first child to be charged during the recent unrest.

A 12-year-old boy in Manchester pleaded guilty earlier this week to participating in unrest after being seen outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.

He was also spotted in Manchester city centre on August 3 wearing a balaclava and kicking the front window of a vape shop.