The father of one of the teenagers killed in the fatal A66 collision has been charged with three offences—common assault, a public order offence, and obstructing a police officer—following disorder at his son's funeral service, Cleveland Police have confirmed.
Gye Worthy, 39, was arrested on Wednesday after officers responded to reports of a disturbance at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough during the service for 17-year-old Cole Worthy. While earlier reports noted charges of common assault and obstructing an officer, police have now confirmed that he also faces a public order charge. The funeral resumed following the arrest, and Mr Worthy is scheduled to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on 2 October.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said visible patrols would remain in the area to provide community reassurance, adding that the force was grateful to local residents for their continued cooperation and support. While some local schools had closed early for earlier funerals connected to the crash, schools remained open during the service for Cole Worthy.
Cole Worthy was one of five young men who died in the early hours of 22 August when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 collided with a police vehicle. The collision also killed Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and Theo Rae, 17. The final service among the vehicle's occupants, for Mr Cahill, took place on Thursday.
Two police officers travelling in the other vehicle, 37-year-old PC Matthew Blades and 38-year-old PC Tom Clough, were also killed. According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the officers were searching for the Passat after cloned registration plates triggered an automated camera, but they were not in an active pursuit when the crash occurred. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described both officers as brave and committed professionals, and an online fundraiser for their families has raised more than £1.2 million.
Cole Worthy's funeral was held on the same day as the service for PC Blades, while the charges against Mr Worthy were confirmed on the day of PC Clough's funeral, which drew hundreds of mourners, including serving officers and military veterans.
On the day of Cole Worthy's service, Sarah Moloney, a friend of the teenager's mother, shared a tribute online on behalf of the family, thanking attendees for their presence, hugs and kind words, adding: "Cole was so loved, and today showed us just how far that love reached. Thank you for walking this hard day with us."
Tensions had already been high in the area after a property in Acklam linked to the teenager was deliberately rammed following the collision, causing extensive damage.
The full circumstances of the crematorium disturbance and the condition of the alleged victim have not yet been released. Mr Worthy remains due in court next month, and I will report further developments as they emerge.








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