A 15-year-old boy has made history by becoming the first person to be charged with rioting amidst the recent disorder that took over England. Most individuals involved have previously been charged with violent disorder, which carries a shorter maximum sentence compared to the offense of rioting. The suggestion to consider the riot charge for those who played a central role in the disorder was put forward by a judge in Hull.
Following this recommendation, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with riot after incidents in Sunderland. This marks the first time such a charge has been authorized in the aftermath of the recent unrest in the country. The riot charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, doubling the previous maximum of five years for violent disorder. This new development was described as surprising by the boy’s defense lawyer, creating complications in the legal proceedings.
In other related cases across England, individuals involved in violent acts during the unrest were also held accountable. Joseph Ley, Oliver Chapman, Paul Smith, and Michael Whitehead all faced legal consequences for their actions during the disorder. Ley received the longest sentence of three years and two months for violently attacking a black man, motivated by racial hatred. Chapman, Smith, and Whitehead were punished for their participation in violent disorder through acts like damaging property and attacking police officers.
The fast processing of these cases served as a deterrent to further rioting, with over 1,000 arrests and 648 charges laid across the country. These legal actions aim to send a strong message that anyone involved in unlawful activities during the disorder will face serious consequences according to the law.
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