Gateshead teenager sentenced for five terrorism offences

A 17-year-old from Gateshead has been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment and one year extended licence after pleading guilty to seven offences, including five under the Terrorism Act. He will also be subject to a 10 year terrorist notification order, Criminal Behaviour Order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Vincent Charlton pleaded guilty to seven offences at a hearing in September 2023 at North Tyneside Youth Court. Reporting restrictions on Charlton’s identity were lifted by the Judge at the hearing on 22 March 2024 at Newcastle Crown Court, following an application by the media.

Charlton was sentenced for one offence under Section 2(1)(d) of the Terrorism Act 2006, providing a service to others that enabled them to obtain, read, listen to, or look at terrorist publications, or to acquire them by means of a gift, sale or loan. He was also sentenced for four offences under Section 58(1)(b) Terrorism Act 2000, possessing a document containing information of a kind likely to be of use to a person preparing or committing an act of terrorism.

Other offences included making two category A indecent images of children and possessing a Category A indecent photograph of a child.

The defendant was charged in July 2023 following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and Northumbria Police.

Regional Prevent Coordinator, Detective Superintendent Matt Davison, said: “The broad spectrum of extremist content online and its influence on young people is an ongoing concern. We’re increasingly seeing mixed ideologies which promote harmful or violent agendas to impressionable audiences.

“Police and partner agencies continue to work hard to tackle the threat posed by the sharing and possession of extremist content online, and, through the Prevent Strategy, protect young and vulnerable people against extremism in all its forms.

“We ask that if you are concerned about a loved one, you’ve spotted worrying behaviour or concerned that they may be accessing possible extremist material online, then please call the national Police Prevent Advice Line on 0800 011 3764, in confidence, and our specially trained Prevent officers will listen carefully to your concerns.

“Family and friends are best placed to know when something doesn’t feel right. By seeking support at an early stage, together we can prevent them from being drawn into harmful groups or activities and help them choose a different path.