UK riots: 15-year-old from Sunderland becomes first person charged with riot after nationwide disorder
A 15-year-old boy has become the first person charged with an offence of "riot" following the recent disorder.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary and was due to be sentenced at South Tyneside Youth Court, South Shields, today.
However, at the hearing, the boy's lawyer Chris Wilson told the court: "This morning I was contacted by the Crown Prosecution Service and informed that it was the intention of the prosecution to lay a charge of riot.
"This raises a number of complex issues."
District Judge Zoe Passfield adjourned the case for two weeks and said the new charge must have come as a "surprise" to the boy.
She told the teenager: "The prosecution now wants to bring a further charge of riot.
"It is an unusual situation when a new charge is brought after the person has pleaded guilty and it opens up complications that I and the lawyers need to consider carefully."
The 15-year-old sat at the back of the courtroom with his mother as his father watched from the public gallery.
Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson said of the charge: "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."
Other people who have already been in court to face charges linked to the disorder may find themselves back there as officers are still sifting through evidence, he added.
"As that evidence picture continues to build, if it becomes apparent that an individual may have been involved in further criminality, they will be brought before the courts again and charged with the most serious offence possible," he said.
Police release more images
The news comes after police released more images of people who officers want to speak to following "incidents of disorder" in Merseyside.
Forces across the country continue to pursue those alleged to have played a role in riots that rocked cities across England in the wake of the fatal stabbings of three children in Southport.
Releasing pictures of eight males who "could assist" investigations, Merseyside Police's Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said the individuals need to come forward "as soon as possible".
"Each and every person who took part can expect to face the consequences of their actions," he said of the disorder in Southport and Liverpool.
"We are still working through footage and images as they come in and we'll continue to arrest, charge and put before the courts anyone identified."
He added the force had arrested 74 people and charged 41 as of Thursday morning, with "more to come" in the following days and weeks.
In other developments across England today:
• Three people have pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder in relation to unrest in Plymouth, Devon, on 5 August;
• Two women have admitted violent disorder relating to unrest in Bristol on 3 August;
• A further three people have been charged following disorder in Bristol earlier this month;
• Three men will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday;
• Cleveland Police said a 40-year-old woman has been charged with violent disorder in relation to unrest in Hartlepool on 31 July;
• A 20-year-old has been charged with violent disorder and will appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
'He appears to take delight'
It comes as a man who threw bricks at police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester was jailed for two years and 10 months.
Paul Smith, 21, of Keynsham Road in Manchester, was sentenced for violent disorder on Thursday morning at Manchester Crown Court.
In footage shown in court, Smith can be seen throwing bricks and a bottle towards police officers and vehicles during the disorder outside the Holiday Inn hotel in Manchester on 31 July.
"He's smiling and appears to be taking some delight from the event," prosecutor Philip Hall said of Smith's demeanour in the footage.
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In his sentencing remarks, Judge John Potter said: "On 29 July, an appalling and tragic attack took place in Southport.
"Three children lost their lives and numerous other children and adults were seriously injured in a knife attack.
"Shortly after that attack, lies were deliberately spread via leaflets, the internet and social media as to who may have been responsible.
"This material emphasised the supposed nationality, ethnicity and religion of the alleged attacker.
"Inspired by the ignorance of racism, mobs gathered in towns and cities throughout the country intent on retribution."
