Five men charged after funeral hearse driven onto football pitch

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FT Desk

Five men have been charged with violent disorder after a funeral hearse was driven onto the pitch of a lower league game in 2023.

Over the past three years, Northumbria Police have been investigating a number of incidents from the summer of 2023, including a hearse being driven onto the pitch at a Dunston UTC v Gateshead match at Dunston Football Club. The incidents are all believed to be connected to one group of men.

On 21 July 2023, the game was interrupted when a hearse and a Subaru car both entered the field of play and started doing doughnut circles near the centre. Flyers were then thrown from both cars and they contained personal allegations about two individuals.

The hearse was abandoned on the pitch as the five men made a getaway in the Subaru.

The incident took place at half-time and the referee made the decision to abandon the game.

Det Ch Insp David Johnson, of Northumbria Police, said: "As ever, we would ask the public to refrain from any kind of speculation - both in the community and online - which could negatively impact the proceedings."

At the time, a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Disorder will not be tolerated in the community and anyone found to be involved will be dealt with robustly.

Police are investigating after masked men drove a hearse onto a football pitch mid-game while fans looked on in shock pic.twitter.com/3CzsUCRamY

— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) July 25, 2023

"While inquiries are at an early stage, it is believed that those involved are known to each other and there was no wider risk to the public.

"We are also aware that images and videos of the disturbance are being circulated on social media.

"Members of the public are urged not to speculate and are encouraged to share any footage with police to assist the investigation.

"Police remain in the area to carry out inquiries and offer reassurance to the public and those with concerns are encouraged to speak with an officer on duty."

In a statement, Dunston said: "We are all deeply saddened at the events that took place last night. Thankfully nobody was physically hurt or injured.

"The club would like to put on record that one individual named on the leaflets distributed during the pitch invasion, have had no connection with Dunston UTS FC, in any official capacity, for over two years. The other individual has no connection with our club whatsoever.

"We stress, we are a family-orientated community club and apologise for any distress felt by our supporters and visitors, particularly the younger fans.

"We will be working as hard as ever to repair the damage caused to our pitch and perimeter fencing and look forward to the forthcoming season.

"At this point as it is a live investigation the club will be making no further comments."

BBC reports that the names of the five men charged are Carl Barron, Ian Boddy, Darren Kay, Graeme Rutherford and John Wright. All are due to appear at Sunderland and South Tyneside Magistrates' Court this week.