Gordon Gault: DNA matching accused teenagers found on weapons

Gordon Gault died from his wounds six days after being stabbed

DNA profiles matching several youths accused of murdering a 14-year-old boy were found on a number of weapons, a court has heard.

Gordon Gault died in hospital six days after being stabbed with a machete in Newcastle in November 2022.

Six boys, now aged between 16 and 18, deny murdering Gordon and injuring a 17-year-old boy.

The defendants had a violent feud with Gordon's group, prosecutors told Newcastle Crown Court.

The court heard that the six youths, who were from the Benwell area of Newcastle, went to Elswick on 9 November to exact revenge after several of them had been assaulted in previous weeks.

Gordon was riding pillion on an electric bike when he was stabbed in the arm by Carlos Neto, 18, and died six days later in hospital, the court was told.

Two of the defendants, aged 16 and 17, cannot be identified but the remaining four, all aged 18, are:

• Carlos Neto, of Manchester Road East, Manchester

• Benedict Mbala, of St John's Walk, Newcastle

• Lawson Natty, of Eastgarth, Newbiggin Hall Estate, Newcastle

• Daniel Lacerda, of Paddock Close, Ferryhill

In the hours after the attack, a sheath for a machete was found by police in the road near where Gordon was stabbed, jurors heard.

A DNA profile matching the 16-year-old accused was found on it which was consistent with him having handled it, prosecutor Christopher Moran said.

'Perfect fit'

Police later found a mallet and a kitchen knife in bushes nearby.

A DNA profile matching the 17-year-old defendant was found on the mallet which could be explained if he had handled it, the court heard.

Months later - on 31 March - police found a dumped rucksack containing three machetes, two coats, a blue hoody and another bag, Mr Moran said.

DNA matching Lawson Natty was found on one of the weapons, which could be explained if he had handled it. But Mr Moran said it could not be determined who else might have touched the machete or if it had been used to injure Mr Gault and the 17-year-old victim.

DNA matching Mr Natty was also found on the sheath of the second machete, albeit at low levels, the court heard.

There was insufficient material to get a DNA sample off the third machete but it was a "perfect fit" for the sheath found on the road, Mr Moran said.

The coats had DNA profiles matching Daniel Lacerda and his 17-year-old co-accused, the court heard, with both garments showing signs that someone had tried to burn them.

Jurors were also shown a video allegedly made by Benedict Mbala on his mobile phone, in which he explained how the "drilling" or attack happened.

The trial continues.