Six young males, five of them teenagers, have now admitted being involved in violence with a rival group in which one of their associates suffered fatal injuries.
Gordon Gault was stabbed in the arm with a machete wielded by Carlos Neto in Westmorland Road, near to Elswick Park, Newcastle, as the 14-year-old victim rode pillion on an electric bike, while carrying a baseball bat.
The machete blow pierced the top of Gordon’s arm, severing vital blood vessels, and causing extensive bleeding.
He was taken to hospital for emergency treatment but died from his injuries six days later.
Neto, 18. of Manchester Road, Little Hutton, Manchester, but living in Newcastle at the time of the incident, and co-accused Lawson Natty, also 18, of Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, were cleared of Gordon’ murder, but found guilty of manslaughter, following a lengthy trial at Newcastle Crown Court, last month.
Both Neto and Natty, who was also armed with a machete during the incident, were also found guilty of the unlawful wounding of one of Gordon’s group, Jack Hardy, who was stabbed in the back in the incident.
They are to be sentenced by the trial judge, Mr Justice Martin Spencer on Friday, next week (March 8).
Carlos Neto, above, and Lawson Natty, below.
Four other accused teenagers were all cleared of Gordon’s murder and wounding Jack Hardy with intent.
Meanwhile Hardy, now 18, of Quarry Bank Court, Elswick, Raymond Matthew, also 18, of Durham Street, Elswick, and Liam Thompson, 28, of Bentinck Street, Elswick, plus three 17-year-olds have all now admitted a charge of affray relating to the incident.
They were originally charged with the more serious offence of violent disorder and were to go on trial for up to five weeks, starting on Monday this week (February 26).
But after lengthy legal discussions, all have now admitted the alternative charge of affray.
Chris Moran, for the prosecuting, said those pleas were now acceptable to the Crown and each will be sentenced at the court on March 21 and 22.
The trial jury, which was sworn in on Monday, was brought into court today (Wednesday February 28) and told of developments.
They were thanked for their patience and discharged by Judge Edward Bindloss.
He bailed the six defendants, who are all on overnight curfews, to return to the court for the sentencing hearing later next month.
Judge Bindloss also lifted reporting restrictions which he put in place relating to the case earlier in the week.
Following the conclusion of the hearing, the Senior Investigating Officer Detective, Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, said: “The truly devastating impact of violence is clear for all to see with the tragic death of Gordon and our thoughts very much continue to be with his loved ones.
“Gordon was killed after an escalating dispute culminated in violence, with two teenagers subsequently being convicted of his manslaughter.
“We have seen a group of people admit their part in the disgraceful disorder which occurred the evening Gordon, who was the youngest person present, was fatally wounded.”
He added: “Violence destroys lives and has absolutely no place in our communities.
“As a Force, we are committed to reducing the impact of this type of offending.
“This includes targeting those who carry weapons and working with our partners to prevent incidents by educating people about the dangers and consequences of doing so.
“Our message to anyone who does pick up a weapon or involves themselves in violence remains very simple … ‘think again’.”
See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here
Six teenagers cleared of the murder of Gordon Gault in Newcastle
Reaction after conviction of two teens for Gordon Gault manslaughter
Gordon Gault killing: Deadly machetes seized by police
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Det Chief Insp Steel added: “We urge people, to make that choice today.”
Anyone who has information about someone carrying a weapon is encouraged to contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Report’ section on the website, or by calling 101.
In an emergency always dial 999.