A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Gye Worthy, the father of a teenager who died in a crash on the A66, after he admitted assaulting a civil celebrant during his son's funeral and then failed to appear for sentencing.
Worthy, 40, had previously admitted assault by beating and resisting arrest over the incident at Teesside Crematorium on September 9, during the funeral of his 17-year-old son Cole. His case was adjourned for sentencing on Tuesday, October 27, but he did not attend Teesside Magistrates' Court.
Court Proceedings and Warrant
Adam Scott, prosecuting, said: "Gye Worthy was bailed to attend this court this morning for sentence by the previous court. He has not attended therefore the application will be made for warrant not backed by bail."
Deputy district judge Julia Baggs issued a warrant for his arrest. Worthy was also due to be sentenced for stealing four bottles of wine, valued at £30, from One Stop on Acklam Road on October 8, to which he had previously pleaded guilty.
Background to the Incident
Cole Worthy was one of five passengers in a VW Passat who died when the vehicle collided with a marked Cleveland Police car while travelling the wrong way along the A66 in the early hours of August 22. Two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, also lost their lives in the collision.
The celebrant was said to be "shocked and shaken" by Worthy's actions but did not sustain serious injuries, and declined to provide a statement. Cole Worthy's mother, Natalie McConnell, who has been separated from Gye Worthy for some time, was reportedly devastated by the disruption to her son's memorial service.
Related Damage and Fatalities
Gye Worthy's semi-detached £200,000 property in Ruskin Avenue, Middlesbrough, was struck less than an hour before the collision on the A66, when a red Volvo reversed twice into the front of the residence, causing significant structural damage that remains under repair.
Cole Worthy died alongside Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Cahill, 23, and Theo Rae, 17, in the crash at 3.39am on August 22.
