Five men charged in investigation into hearse incident at Dunston football match

Five men have been charged following an investigation into incidents that included a hearse being driven onto the pitch during a Dunston UTC match against Gateshead, BBC News reported. All five are due to appear at Sunderland and South Tyneside Magistrates' Court this week, with the charges varying between defendants.

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The football match was interrupted at half-time on 21 July 2023, when a hearse and a Subaru entered the pitch at Dunston Football Club's ground on Wellington Road. People inside the hearse scattered leaflets before leaving the vehicle behind and departing in the Subaru. The match was subsequently abandoned. According to the BBC report, the leaflets contained personal allegations about two individuals.

Northumbria Police's investigation covers several incidents from summer 2023 that officers believe are connected. Alongside the disruption at the football ground, police received reports of criminal damage at addresses in Dunston and Byker and of a vehicle stolen from the Durham area. The newly reported charges arise from that wider inquiry, rather than an investigation confined to the abandoned fixture.

Carl Barron, 43, of Grange Villa, County Durham, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, as well as conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal. John Wright, 42, of Tow Law, County Durham, faces the same charges. Graeme Rutherford, 54, of Birtley, Gateshead, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to make threats to kill.

Ian Boddy, 44, previously of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is charged with conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Darren Kay, 31, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is charged with conspiracy to make threats to kill. The BBC report identifies these as charges ahead of the men's scheduled court appearances, not findings of guilt.

Detective Chief Inspector David Johnson of Northumbria Police urged people to avoid speculation about the case, both online and within the community, because of the potential effect on proceedings. The court appearances are the next reported step in a case involving the disruption of the July 2023 fixture.