Gordon Gault death: Teen murder trial jury retires to consider verdicts

Gordon Gault was stabbed near Elswick Park, Newcastle, on 9 November 2022

A jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the trial of six teenagers accused of murdering a 14-year-old boy.

Gordon Gault died in hospital six days after he was struck with a machete in Elswick, Newcastle, in November 2022, jurors have heard.

Six people, now aged between 16 and 18, deny murder, and a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a 17-year-old boy.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court will continue deliberating on Wednesday.

Two of the defendants, aged 16 and 17, are unable to be identified because of their age. The others, who are all 18, are:

• Carlos Neto, of Manchester Road East, Salford

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

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

• Daniel Lacerda, of Paddock Close, Ferryhill

The fatal attack, which also saw the 17-year-old youth slashed in the back, came against a background of tit-for-tat violence between two groups who were looking for each other that night, jurors have been told.

The trial started in November and was halted over the Christmas break.

The jury had been told rap lyrics featuring the death of 14-year-old Gordon were found by police on some of the defendants' phones.

Defendant Carlos Neto struck Gordon in a surprise attack, the court heard, having repeatedly talked about carrying out a stabbing on their rivals, the prosecution claimed.

Mr Justice Martin Spencer outlined the prosecution case, saying: "Carlos Neto carried out that intention, assisted and supported by five other members of his group who went on an armed mission to Elswick seeking revenge."

The judge said Mr Neto's case was that he was acting in self-defence and he reminded the jury of Jason Pitter KC's comment, defending, that what was said in rap or drill music was not necessarily true, just as Bob Marley and Eric Clapton had not really shot a sheriff.

Other defendants claimed they were only in Elswick, in Newcastle's West End, to film a video for social media to show they were not scared of their rivals, the jury was told.

The trial continues.