The senior police officer investigating the fatal stabbing of a teenage boy amid mounting violence between rival factions has spoken of the force’s efforts to reduce the impact of knife crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, was speaking after custodial sentences were imposed on two teenagers who were convicted of the manslaughter of a 14-year-old boy, following a recent trial.

Carlos Neto inflicted the fatal blow on Gordon Gault in a confrontation between rival groups in Newcastle’s West End, on November 9, 2022.

Gordon, the youngest person involved in the confrontation, suffered injuries to his upper right arm which led to his death, in hospital, six days later.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Neto used a machete supplied to him by co-accused Lawson Natty, who was also armed with a similar weapon, which he did not produce or use during the incident.

Natty, of Eastgarth, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, told police that he bought the weapons online, deceitfully giving his father’s details, but claimed he mistakenly ordered two, so he decided to keep both.

The Northern Echo: Carlo Neto, left, and Lawson Natty, with the machetes recovered by police after the fatal attack on

Neto, then living in Newcastle, but more recently of Little Hulton, in the Salford area of Greater Manchester, claimed he acted in self-defence.

Both Neto and Natty, then aged 17, but each now 18, were cleared of Gordon’s murder, but found guilty of his manslaughter at the trial, at which four alleged accomplices were all cleared.

Neto and Natty were also convicted of unlawful wounding of a second teenager, stabbed in the back during the incident.

The Northern Echo:

Trial judge, Mr Justice Martin Spencer, imposed a young offenders’ institution sentence of nine years and two months on Neto and two years and eight months on Natty.

Passing sentence, the judge said “a worrying aspect” of the case was the apparent ease “this lethal weapon” was obtained by a 17-year-old, at the time, on the internet.

“This is what is liable to happen when young people arm themselves with this sort of weapon.”

As part of the police investigation, a number of weapons were recovered, despite the accused’s efforts to conceal and destroy them.

In building a case, the team looked through 3,200 hours of CCTV footage, examined more than 125 mobile phones and devices, and examined 1,675 exhibits of evidence.

Overall, officers also arrested 21 people, recorded 50 interviews and took more than 1,000 statements.

CCTV footage uncovered by officers working as part of the investigation showed Neto and Natty leaving the scene in the moments after Gordon was fatally injured.

Following the sentencing, the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely tragic case in which a teenager had his future taken away.

“Our thoughts very much remain with his loved ones and we will continue to support them at this extremely difficult time.

“Gordon was the youngest person present when a dispute culminated in this senseless violence and loss of life.

“Violence has absolutely no place in our communities.

“The impact, as we have seen with this case, can be utterly devastating.

“The lives of the two people who have today been jailed for his manslaughter and those who care about them have also been changed forever by the decisions they made.”

Chief Insp Steel said the force was committed to working with partners to reduce the impact of knife crime and prevent incidents from happening.

“This is not an issue policing can tackle alone, as, as a society, we must all do what we can to come together to prevent violence.

“This includes continuing to educate young people and talking to them about the pain and suffering caused by knife crime.

“To anybody who carries a knife or weapon, please think again.”

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Anyone who has information about someone carrying a weapon should contact Northumbria Police, via the ‘Report’ section on the force website, or by calling 101.

But, in an emergency, the advice is always to dial 999.

People can also share information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, on (0800) 555111.