FIVE MEN CHARGED OVER HEARSE DRIVEN ONTO FOOTBALL PITCH

Northumbria Police have charged five men after a hearse was driven onto a football pitch, forcing a match to be abandoned. The force said a hearse and a Subaru entered the pitch at half-time during a fixture between Dunston UTS and Gateshead in July 2023. The vehicles were driven in circles before balaclava-clad men got out, scattered leaflets and fled in the Subaru before officers arrived, leaving the hearse behind. Further incidents followed across Tyneside, and a vehicle was stolen in the Durham area, police said. The five men are due before the courts this week.

Carl Barron, of Grange Villa, County Durham, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal. Ian Boddy, formerly of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is charged with conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Darren Kay, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is charged with conspiracy to make threats to kill. Graeme Rutherford, of Birtley, Gateshead, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to make threats to kill. John Wright, of Tow Law, County Durham, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal.

Detective Chief Inspector David Johnson of Northumbria Police called it a long-running, complex investigation that officers had treated as linked. He said it falls under Operation Sentinel, the force's response to reports of serious and organised crime. Johnson said teams worked with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring the charges. He asked the public to refrain from speculation, saying it could affect the proceedings.