The father of a teenager killed in a crash on the A66 has admitted assaulting a civil celebrant during the delivery of the eulogy at his son's funeral. Gye Worthy, 40, is said to have attacked the celebrant as mourners at the funeral of 17-year-old Cole Worthy listened to the service.
Cole was amongst five VW Passat occupants who died when the vehicle they were travelling in travelled the wrong way down the dual carriageway in South Bank, before colliding with a marked police car. Two officers also lost their lives at the scene of the collision in August.
Court appearance and guilty pleas
Appearing before magistrates, Worthy admitted attacking the 46-year-old and subsequently resisting police officers summoned to arrest him, reports the Mirror.
During an unscheduled hearing on Saturday, September 26, Worthy entered guilty pleas at Teesside Magistrates' Court. He admitted assaulting the celebrant by beating him on September 9 in St Bede's Chapel at Acklam Crematorium in Middlesbrough.
He also admitted resisting arrest moments later when police were summoned by crematorium staff, reports Teesside Live.
Sentencing scheduled
Worthy's case was adjourned until Friday, October 2, though a sentencing date was scheduled for October 27 and pre-sentence reports were requested.
As reported by The Mirror, the celebrant was described as "shocked and shaken" by Worthy's actions but sustained no serious injuries in the incident. He declined to comment on the matter.
Cole Worthy's mother, Natalie McConnell, was reportedly devastated by the disruption to her son's memorial. Ms McConnell has long been separated from Gye Worthy, and both have since moved on with new partners.
Tributes to Cole
Following the funeral service, Sarah Moloney, a friend of Ms McConnell, took to social media to express gratitude to mourners on her behalf, writing: "To everyone who came today for our Coley, thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. Seeing so many faces who loved him, cared for him and held him close means more than we can ever put into words, your presence your hugs your kind words and every beautiful memory you shared."
"Cole was so loved and today showed us just how far that love reached. Thank you for walking this hard day with us, thank you for loving him, for remembering him and for being here for us. He will live on in all our hearts forever. Rest peacefully our beautiful Coley, we love you more than anything."
Background to the crash
As previously reported, Gye Worthy's semi-detached £200,000 property was rammed less than an hour before the collision on the A66. A red Volvo twice reversed into the front of the house, causing considerable structural damage that remains under repair.
Cole Worthy lost his life alongside Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Cahill, 23, and Theo Rae, 17, in the crash. Tragically, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, also perished in the incident at 3.39am on Saturday, August 22.
An interim report into the collision ruled out tactical contact with the Passat by police and use of a Stinger device to puncture its tyres.
