Four men have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to threaten to kill members of the Sayers family after a hearse was driven onto a football pitch during a game. The funeral vehicle was allegedly abandoned on the pitch of the Northern Premier League Dunston Football Club Stadium at half-time during a match on July 21, 2023.
Alleged Incident and Charges
It is claimed the hearse displayed posters of John Henry Sayers, Stephen Sayers, Michael Sayers and Steve Wraith, with the words "Soon to be deceased". During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, John Wright, Carl Barron, Graeme Rutherford and Darren Kay pleaded not guilty to conspiring to make threats to kill between July 5 and July 22, namely that they conspired together and with others to make threats to kill John Henry Sayers, Stephen Sayers, Michael Sayers and Steve Wraith.
Wright, Barron and Rutherford also denied conspiracy to damage property at John Henry Sayers' daughter's home between June 23, 2023 and July 5, 2023. They further denied conspiracy to damage property, namely the house and contents of Steve Wraith, between June 17 2023 and June 30 2023.
Additional Denials and Trial Date
Wright, Barron and Iain Boddy pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal a Citroen C4 car between July 6 2023 and July 11 2023. Boddy also denied participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group between June 17 2023 and November 7 2023, relating to allegations he supplied false number plates, allowed vehicles used in the commission of an offence to be stored on land under his control and permitted the removal and disposal of vehicles knowing or suspecting those activities would help an organised crime group carry out their activities.
Wright, 42, of Tow Law, County Durham, Barron, 43, of Grange Villa, County Durham, Rutherford, 54, of Birtley, Gateshead, Kay, 31, of Chester-Le-Street, County Durham and Boddy, 44, of previously of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, were told a trial date with a four week time estimate has been set for November 1 next year and a timetable for the case was set out.
