The father of one of the teenagers killed in the devastating A66 crash is facing jail after attacking the celebrant at his son’s funeral following a dispute over the eulogy.
Gye Worthy, 40, reportedly became furious when celebrant Paul Maull failed to mention him while speaking about his son, Cole Worthy, but referred to Cole’s stepfather instead.
The row escalated when Worthy allegedly hurled insults at Maull before attacking him in front of shocked mourners.
Police were called to Teesside Crematorium, where Worthy also became involved in a confrontation with officers.
Funeral descended into chaos
A source close to the family said Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was left “devastated and shocked” by what happened during the funeral.
Worthy, an offshore worker who lives in Acklam, Middlesbrough, had already experienced a devastating period before his son’s death.
His £200,000 home was rammed on August 22 in an attack reportedly directed at Cole. The incident came amid an escalating gang conflict in the area.
Shortly afterwards, Cole, 17, and four friends got into a Volkswagen Passat and went looking for their rivals, according to the account surrounding the crash.
Police spotted the vehicle, which was travelling with cloned registration plates, and briefly pursued it. The chase was abandoned after the car travelled the wrong way along the A66.
Moments later, the Passat collided with a police vehicle.
Two officers and five teenagers died
The horrific crash claimed the lives of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.
All five occupants of the Passat were also killed, including Cole Worthy and his close friend Theo Rae.
Police said the teenagers had links to organised crime.
There is, however, no suggestion that Gye Worthy himself has any links to organised crime.
The circumstances surrounding the A66 collision and the events that preceded it have added to the grief surrounding the deaths of the two police officers and five young people.
Dad to be sentenced
Worthy is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court today, where he is expected to be sentenced over the incident involving the funeral celebrant.
The case comes as Cole’s family continues to deal with the loss of a 17-year-old whose death followed a chain of events that began amid an escalating dispute and ended in one of the region’s most tragic road crashes.