Move comes as more are jailed, including a self-styled ‘paedophile hunter’ who racially abused rival protesters
A 15-year-old boy has become the first person to be charged with riot over the recent disorder that swept towns and cities across England.
Almost all those involved have so far been charged with violent disorder, which carries a shorter maximum sentence than the offence of rioting. On Wednesday a judge, the recorder of Hull, suggested that prosecutors should consider the riot charge for people alleged to have played a central role in the disorder.
On Thursday the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with riot after disorder in Sunderland. It said more riot charges would follow.
The riot charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, whereas for violent disorder the maximum is five years. The boy’s defence lawyer, Chris Wilson, told a hearing that the new charge may have “far wider repercussions”.
The district judge Zoe Passfield adjourned his case for two weeks as she said the new charge must have come as a “surprise” to him. She told the teenager: “The prosecution now want 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.”
Wilson said the situation “doesn’t sit comfortably with me, professionally or personally”, adding: “Clearly there are complex issues, and those issues may well have far wider repercussions.”
Gale Gilchrist, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, 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 2 August.
“This is the first such charge to be authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service in the wake of recent unrest.”
Alastair Simpson, an assistant chief constable of Northumbria police, said: “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 riot charge, under section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986, came on another busy day in England’s courts. Police have previously said the speed at which defendants’ cases have been processed served as a deterrent to further rioting.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said on Thursday that 1,127 arrests had been made since the disorder started, and 648 charges laid.
Read More: Boy, 15, is first person charged with riot over recent English disorder