Teen Charged with Riot in Sunderland
- A 15-year-old boy from Sunderland is the first person in England to be charged with riot.
- The boy allegedly threw bricks towards officers and climbed on top of a van.
- His initial violent disorder charge was upgraded, and the case is adjourned for two weeks.
A 15-year-old boy has become the first individual in England to be charged with riot following violent disturbances in Sunderland on August 2. Initially charged with violent disorder, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) upgraded the charges after reviewing new evidence. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years, significantly longer than the maximum for violent disorder. The case has raised concerns among legal professionals regarding the implications of introducing a new charge after a guilty plea. Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, confirmed the charge, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson stated that the prosecution aims to send a strong message that all participants in the unrest, regardless of age, will face severe consequences. The CPS is actively reviewing evidence from the riots, indicating that further charges could be brought against individuals already convicted if new evidence emerges. In related court proceedings, several individuals have received sentences for their roles in the riots, including a man jailed for three years and two months for a racially motivated attack in Manchester. The unrest has led to numerous arrests across England and Northern Ireland, with charges filed against participants as young as 12. The legal system is under scrutiny as it navigates the complexities of these cases, particularly concerning the treatment of minors involved in serious offenses.