Five men have been charged with offences related to violent disorder, following an investigation by Northumbria Police into incidents from summer 2023. These incidents reportedly include a funeral hearse being driven onto a football pitch during a Dunston UTC v Gateshead match at Dunston Football Club.
The event on 21 July 2023 saw a hearse and a Subaru car driven onto the pitch at half-time. Leaflets containing personal allegations were thrown from the hearse before it was abandoned, and those inside drove off in the Subaru. The match was subsequently called off.
The men charged are Carl Barron, 43; Ian Boddy, 44; Darren Kay, 31; Graeme Rutherford, 54; and John Wright, 42. They face various charges including conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill, conspiracy to steal, and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
All five are due to appear at Sunderland and South Tyneside Magistrates' Court this week.