(Image: Contributor)
Two County Durham men appeared at crown court today (Wednesday October 21), over alleged offences including the driving of a hearse on to a football pitch.
But Iain Boddy and Carl Barron’s cases were adjourned so they can appear alongside three co-defendants later this week.
The pre-season friendly between Dunston UTS FC and Gateshead FC was abandoned at half-time on Friday, July 21, 2023, after a black funeral limousine was driven in circles on the home side’s Wellington Road pitch.
A silver Subaru was also driven onto the pitch, while two masked figures were seen leaving the hearse and throwing leaflets onto the pitch before leaving the scene.
The match was abandoned without a ball being kicked in the second-half.
A hearse was driven onto the pitch at half-time of a pre-season friendly football match between Dunston UTS and Gateshead, at Dunston's Wellington Road ground in July 2023
The pair are among five men charged over that incident and other alleged offences, including criminal damage at properties in Dunston and Byker, Newcastle, and the theft of a vehicle in County Durham.
Boddy, 44, formerly of Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, is charged with conspiracy to steal and taking part in an organised crime group.
Barron, 43, of Grange Villa near Chester-le-Street, was initially charged with two counts of conspiracy to cause criminal damage, plus conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal.
But the conspiracy charge over threats to kill has since been withdrawn.
Boddy appeared today by video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, while Barron was brought to Newcastle Crown Court from HMP Northumberland for what was due to be a plea hearing.
But Judge Robert Adams said the hearing would be adjourned so the pair could appear with co-defendants Darren Kay, 31, of Chester-le-Street, Graeme Rutherford, 54, of Birtley, Gateshead, and John Wright, 42, of Tow Law, on Friday, (October 23).
All three are charged with conspiracy to make threats to kill, while Rutherford and Wright also face two counts of conspiracy to cause criminal damage.
Judge Adams said Boddy and Barron could appear by video link for Friday's hearing if they unable to be brought from prison.