Boy, 15, first to be charged with riot in England following recent disorder

A 15-year-old boy has become the first person to be charged with the serious offence of "riot" following the recent wave of unrest across the UK. The teenager, whose identity has not been disclosed due to legal reasons, appeared in South Tyneside Youth Court on August 15, 2024. This charge relates to violent incidents that occurred in Sunderland on August 2.

This is a significant legal development, as the charge of rioting is more severe than charges of violent disorder, carrying a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The recent unrest was triggered by misinformation circulating online, which led to widespread violence, including attacks on mosques and clashes with police. Hundreds of people have been arrested in connection with these events, but this boy is the first to face the more serious charge of rioting.

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