Five men have been charged in connection with a series of incidents in north-east England, including the disruption of a football match when a funeral hearse was driven onto the pitch in July 2023.
Northumbria Police have been investigating several incidents believed to be linked, including criminal damage at properties in Dunston and Byker and the reported theft of a vehicle in County Durham.
The investigation followed an incident at Dunston Football Club on 21 July 2023, when a hearse and a Subaru entered the pitch during half-time of a match between Dunston UTC and Gateshead.
Individuals inside the hearse scattered leaflets containing personal allegations against two people before abandoning the vehicle and leaving the stadium in the Subaru. The match, which was being played at the Wellington Road ground, was subsequently abandoned.
Five men have now been charged as part of the investigation and are scheduled to appear before Sunderland and South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court this week.
Carl Barron, 43, of Grange Villa, County Durham, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, along with charges of conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal.
Ian Boddy, 44, formerly of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has been charged with conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
Darren Kay, 31, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, faces a charge of conspiracy to make threats to kill.
Graeme Rutherford, 54, of Birtley, Gateshead, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to make threats to kill.
John Wright, 42, of Tow Law, County Durham, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, as well as charges of conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal.
Detective Chief Inspector David Johnson of Northumbria Police urged members of the public to avoid speculation about the case, particularly on social media, warning that public commentary could affect the legal proceedings.