Five men deny charges over hearse driven onto football pitch

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

Five men have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a funeral hearse driven onto a football pitch during a match in Gateshead in 2023.

Five men appeared at Newcastle Crown Court after a hearse was driven onto the pitch at Dunston Football Club during a Dunston UTS v Gateshead match on 21 July 2023. The incident occurred at half-time.

ChronicleLive reports that the hearse displayed posters of John Henry Sayers, Stephen Sayers, Michael Sayers and Steve Wraith, with the words 'Soon to be deceased'. The incident is believed to have been linked to reports of criminal damage across properties in the Dunston and Byker areas, as well as a stolen vehicle from Durham.

All five men—Carl Barron (43), Ian Boddy (44), Darren Kay (31), Graeme Rutherford (54) and John Wright (42)—pleaded not guilty to all charges. These include conspiracy to make threats to kill, conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to steal. The men will return to Newcastle Crown Court on 1 November.

How it is being reported

• Four men deny threats to kill Sayers family after hearse driven onto football pitchIt is claimed a hearse was driven onto the pitch at Dunston displaying posters of John Henry Sayers, Stephen Sayers, Michael Sayers and Steve Wraith, with the words 'soon to be deceased'ChronicleLive · 23 Oct, 17:27
• Five deny football pitch hearse disorderThe men deny disorder which saw a funeral hearse driven on to the pitch at Dunston UTS v Gateshead.BBC Tyne And Wear · 23 Oct, 17:04

In this story: Dunston Football Club · Newcastle Crown Court · Gateshead · John Henry Sayers · Stephen Sayers · Michael Sayers · Steve Wraith

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem