Five Men Charged in 2023 Football Pitch Hearse Incident

Five men have been charged in connection with an incident where a hearse was driven onto a football pitch by individuals wearing masks, forcing the abandonment of a pre-season friendly match three years ago. The event occurred in July 2023 during a game between non-league clubs Dunston and Gateshead at Dunston's UTS Stadium.

Northumbria Police confirmed that the five men face a series of offenses. The investigation, dubbed Operation Sentinel, was launched after the match was halted at halftime when the hearse was left in the center of the pitch. Two vehicles, including the hearse, entered the field of play, with masked individuals throwing leaflets from the vehicles before exiting the hearse and fleeing in a second car.

The accused are due to appear in court this week. Carl Barron, 43, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill, and conspiracy to steal. Ian Boddy, 44, is accused of conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organized crime group. Darren Kay, 31, has been charged with conspiracy to make threats to kill. Graham Rutherford, 54, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to make threats to kill. John Wright, 42, 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 stated that the investigation has been complex and long-spanning. He added that officers have worked with the Crown Prosecution Service to reach the current charges and urged the public to avoid speculation that could prejudice the proceedings.

Following the incident in July 2023, Gateshead FC announced on X that the match had been abandoned due to the pitch invasion. The game was tied 1-1 at the time of the interruption. Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with masked individuals breaching stadium barriers before entering the pitch. Police and a helicopter were dispatched to the scene.

At the time, Northumbria Police stated that two cars, a Subaru and a hearse, drove onto the pitch during halftime. A group of males wearing balaclavas exited the vehicles, threw leaflets, and then drove away in the Subaru before police arrived, leaving the hearse abandoned. Officers responded quickly, and no injuries or threats were reported. The investigation aimed to establish the full circumstances and locate those involved, emphasizing that disorder would not be tolerated and that those involved were believed to be known to each other with no wider risk to the public.