Five Men Charged Over Hearse-Stunt on Football Pitch

Five men have been charged in connection with an incident where a hearse was driven onto a football pitch during a match, forcing its abandonment. The event occurred in July 2023 during a pre-season friendly between Dunston and Gateshead, two non-league clubs.

Police launched an investigation, dubbed Operation Sentinel, after the match at Dunston's UTS Stadium was called off at halftime when a hearse and a second car entered the field. Masked individuals emerged from the hearse, threw leaflets, and then fled in the second car, leaving the hearse behind. Another clip showed masked men leaving the stadium through a barrier.

Northumbria Police confirmed that five men have been charged with various offenses, including conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill, and conspiracy to steal. The accused were due to appear in court on Wednesday or Friday of the current week. The charged individuals include Carl Barron, 43; Ian Boddy, 44; Darren Kay, 31; Graham Rutherford, 54; and John Wright, 42.

Detective Chief Inspector David Johnson stated that the investigation was complex and had been ongoing since the incident. He emphasized that Operation Sentinel is the regional response to serious and organized crime and that the police have worked with the Crown Prosecution Service to reach the current charges. Johnson also urged the public to refrain from speculation that could jeopardize the proceedings.

Following the events in July 2023, Gateshead FC announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the match had been abandoned by the referee due to the pitch incident. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime when the cars drove onto the pitch. Spectators were escorted from the ground, and police, along with a helicopter, were dispatched to the scene.

Witnesses described the event as surreal, with masked individuals seen near the stadium before the match. They reportedly forced open a railing to access the pitch. One witness recounted seeing the first car speed onto the pitch, performing donuts, followed by the hearse. The witness also noted the lack of security at that level of football and the eventual arrival of multiple police cars and a helicopter. Another observer described the incident as a "terrifying experience with plenty of children about."

Northumbria Police had previously released a statement confirming an investigation into the disturbance. They reported that shortly before 8:20 p.m. on the night of the incident, two cars, a Subaru and a hearse, drove onto the pitch during halftime. Males wearing balaclavas exited the vehicles, threw leaflets, and then drove away in the Subaru before police arrived, leaving the hearse abandoned. The statement indicated that no injuries or threats were reported and that the investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances and locate those involved. Police stated that disorder would not be tolerated and those involved would be dealt with robustly, adding that it was believed those involved knew each other and there was no wider risk to the public.