Five men will stand trial next year in connection with a series of offenses in North East England, including a dramatic incident where a hearse was driven onto a football pitch. Darren Kay, Graeme Rutherford, John Wright, Iain Boddy, and Carl Barron were arrested as part of an investigation into multiple connected incidents reported during the summer of 2023.
On July 21, 2023, two vehicles, a Subaru and a hearse, performed "donuts" on the pitch of Dunston UTS Football Club during halftime of a pre-season friendly against Gateshead. Following the stunt, men wearing balaclavas emerged from the hearse, dropped leaflets containing serious allegations against two individuals, and then fled in the Subaru. The match was abandoned due to the hearse being left on the field.
Police investigations, under the banner of Operation Sentinel, also linked the incident to reports of criminal damage at addresses in Dunston and Byker, Newcastle, and a stolen vehicle from the Durham area.
During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, all five defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Kay, 31, denied conspiracy to make threats to kill. Rutherford, 54, denied two counts of conspiracy to damage property and conspiracy to make threats to kill. Wright, 42, denied two counts of conspiracy to damage property, conspiracy to make threats to kill, and conspiracy to steal. Boddy, 44, denied conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Barron, 43, denied two counts of conspiracy to damage property, conspiracy to make threats to kill, and conspiracy to steal.
Judge Gavin Doig scheduled the trial to commence on November 1 of next year, estimating it will last four weeks. Detective Chief Inspector David Johnson of Northumbria Police stated that the investigation has been complex and long-spanning, treating the incidents as connected from the outset. He also urged the public to avoid speculation that could negatively impact the legal proceedings.