Four of the five individuals inside a VW Passat who perished when their vehicle crashed into a police car, killing two officers, had previous criminal convictions, it has been revealed. Cole Worthy, Makai Saddington and Theo Rae had all previously admitted to assaulting police officers at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
The teenagers – alongside 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak and Michael Robert Cahill – lost their lives in the South Bank collision during the early hours of Saturday morning, August 22. Two officers – PC Matthew Blades, 37, and 38-year-old PC Tom Clough – also died in the crash, which has left the Teesside community reeling.
Pursuit called off before collision
The VW Passat was being chased by Cleveland Police officers when it travelled down the A66 carriageway in the wrong direction. The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the pursuit was called off at this stage and, approximately 10 seconds later, the Passat then smashed into the marked armed response vehicle, which was travelling in the correct direction.
It has previously been disclosed that Makai Saddington, age 18, had recently admitted guilt at Teesside Magistrates' Court on charges of assaulting a police officer and racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm and distress during an incident in Middlesbrough on June 9, earlier this year. Now, the criminal histories of four of the five defendants have been verified with information supplied by Cleveland Police. Michael Robert Cahill, 23, however, had no previous convictions, reports Teesside Live.
Tributes and arrests
Floral tributes have been laid at the scene in memory of the five young men who tragically lost their lives in the crash. One heartfelt message read: "Theo what can we say, you really was [sic] the most beautiful kind hearted lad anyone could meet." Another said: "My Coley. I love you so much. I am so grateful for the time we got to spend together. I just can't believe I will never see you again."
Earlier on Monday, 24 August, Cleveland Police confirmed that 12 individuals have been arrested following the crash as part of a complex and rapidly unfolding investigation. Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, have been taken into custody on suspicion of various offences. These range from possession of a firearm to involvement in the activities of an organised crime group. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that filming of the activities that occurred on Friday night and Saturday morning was intended for TikTok, the force has stated.
