By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-13 07:56:21 | Updated at 2026-10-14 12:40:59
1 day ago
GB News reporter Will Godley attends the funeral of one of the A66 victims
A man has been charged after allegedly mocking Middlesbrough supporters following a horror crash on the A66, which killed seven people.
Bradley Aston, 20, has been charged with a public order offence after images appeared to show the football fan holding up a mobile phone with a message reading: "Police Killed Your Own."
He was remanded in custody and will appear at court in Wolverhampton on Tuesday morning, Cleveland Police confirmed.
The crash on the A66 killed two police officers and five young men in the early hours of August 22, after a Volkswagen Passat drove the wrong way down the busy A-road near Middlesbrough.
Cleveland Police's dedicated football officer, PC Chris Hilton, said: "I want to thank the public for their support during this investigation, and thanks also go to West Midlands Police for their collaborative efforts.
"I hope this robust and swift action demonstrates our commitment to making sure football matches are a safe and enjoyable environment for all."
A police watchdog investigating the crash at the back end of last month found no evidence of "tactical contact" ahead of the collision.
PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, died in the collision, which sent shockwaves through the local community in Middlesbrough, which had become ridden with anti-social and gang-related crime.
Cole Worthy, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Michael Cahill, 23, and Jakub Matusiak, 23, were also killed in the crash.
The force previously said the five men could have been linked with "serious and organised criminal activity". Four of the men had past convictions.
After the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into the surrounding circumstances "following a pursuit involving Cleveland Police officers".
From initial studies, the IOPC said the pursuit began at 3:33am and six minutes and 12 seconds later, the Passat slowed as it approached the A66.
The vehicle then turned right and headed the wrong way down the dual carriageway.
The watchdog confirmed the pursuing police driver did not follow the Passat along the wrong carriageway, turned off the blue warning lights and headed along the A66 on the right side of the road.
The Passat and the car with PC Clough and PC Blades collided around 17 seconds later.
IOPC Director of Engagement Emily Barry offered her sympathies to the family and friends of those involved.
She said: "We continue to recognise the devastating and long-lasting impact this incident has had on the families and those in the force, the policing community, and the wider local community.
"As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run-up to the tragic incident."
She reiterated the force's "vital" commitment to a "thorough independent investigation" to set out the full circumstances.
You are about to be charged £0.00
