Man Accused of Attacking Funeral Celebrant Faces Prison

Gye Worthy, 40, is facing prison time after being accused of attacking the celebrant at his son Cole's funeral. Cole, 17, was one of five teenagers killed in a high-speed crash on the A66 Middlesbrough in August.

Worthy allegedly became angered when the celebrant, Paul Maull, did not mention him in the eulogy for Cole, but did mention the teenager's stepfather. The disturbance occurred at Teesside Crematorium on September 9. Worthy is also accused of shouting insults and obstructing police officers who were called to the scene.

Cole's mother, Natalie McConnell, was reportedly "devastated and shocked" by the disruption to her son's memorial service. Ms. McConnell and Worthy have been separated for some time and both have new partners.

Worthy, who runs a specialist lifting company that operates on offshore platforms, resides in Acklam, Middlesbrough. His home was recently damaged in a criminal act that is currently under police investigation.

Cole was killed just minutes after his father's home was targeted. The crash also claimed the lives of Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Cahill, 23, and Theo Rae, 17. Two police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, also died in the incident when the vehicle carrying the five teenagers drove the wrong way up the A66 and collided with a police car. Police stated that the five individuals had links to organized crime and were attempting to evade law enforcement.

The crash was attributed to a gangland conflict over drug supply in the Teesside area. There is no indication that Gye Worthy has any connection to organized crime.

Cleveland Police have charged Worthy with common assault, public order offenses, and obstructing police. He is scheduled to appear in Teesside Magistrates' Court on Friday.