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Dying boy appears on daily’s front page as mother bids to find killers

A regional daily has published an image of a dying boy as part of his mother’s bid to find her son’s killers.

Newcastle daily The Chronicle ran the photograph of 14-year-old Gordon Gault lying in hospital days before his death as his mum Dionne Barrett called for the newspaper’s readers to help bring those responsible to justice.

Gordon died on 15 November, six days after he was allegedly attacked with a blade after going out on his bike.

Ms Barrett has now turned to The Chronicle for help, with the newspaper publishing the picture on its front page on Thursday.

Chronicle stabbing

Chronicle editor Sophie Barley told HTFP: “Gordon’s death deeply shocked and saddened the city of Newcastle in November.

“Our crime reporter Sophie Doughty spoke to Gordon’s mum following his death and she decided to release the desperately sad picture showing Gordon in hospital days before he died.

“She said she wanted to publish it to encourage anyone who was protecting people involved in his death to come forward. She also wanted young people to look at it to stop them picking up knives.

“It was an extremely sad picture, but we felt it was important to publish due to his mum’s emotive and powerful words and reasons.

“We found parents in particular were deeply moved by the picture.

“We hope Dionne’s brave actions of releasing this picture will make people think twice before picking up a knife, and will help lead to justice for her and her family.”