A66 FUNERAL CHAOS — FATHER FACES JAIL AFTER ROW AT SON’S FUNERAL

A funeral meant to give a grieving family a chance to say goodbye to 17-year-old Cole Worthy was disrupted by a confrontation that has now left his father facing the possibility of jail.

Gye Worthy, 40, is due to be sentenced after an incident involving the celebrant at Cole’s funeral at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough.

According to reports, the confrontation began after celebrant Paul Maull delivered a eulogy for Cole but did not mention Gye, while referring to Cole’s stepfather.

Gye reportedly became angry, shouted insults at Maull and then physically confronted him in front of shocked mourners.

Police were called to the crematorium, where Gye also became involved in a confrontation with officers.

A FUNERAL OVERSHADOWED BY GRIEF

Cole Worthy was one of five young men who died in the devastating A66 crash in August.

The VW Passat carrying Cole and four others was involved in a collision with a police vehicle after travelling on the wrong side of the A66.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were also killed in the crash.

The five occupants of the Passat — including Cole — died in the collision.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through Middlesbrough and led to a major police investigation into organised crime and tensions between rival groups.

However, authorities have not suggested that Gye Worthy himself is linked to organised crime.

HIS FAMILY WAS ALREADY DEALING WITH A TRAGEDY

Before Cole’s death, Gye’s home in Acklam, Middlesbrough, was reportedly rammed in an incident on August 22 that was described as being directed at his son.

The Sun reported that the attack formed part of a wider escalation of tensions in the area.

Cole and his friends later became involved in the events that culminated in the fatal A66 crash.

For Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, the funeral confrontation reportedly added another painful moment to an already devastating loss.

A source close to the family told The Sun that Natalie was left “devastated and shocked” by what happened during the service.

NOW, THE FOCUS TURNS TO COURT

Gye Worthy was previously charged following the incident at the crematorium with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police, according to reporting on the case.

He was due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2 for sentencing.

The case has attracted attention because the confrontation happened during a funeral already taking place under the shadow of one of the area’s most serious recent tragedies.

For Cole’s family and friends, the funeral was supposed to be a final farewell.

Instead, the service became another chapter in a story that began with a devastating road crash and has continued to generate questions, investigations and court proceedings.

Gye Worthy’s sentencing is now the latest development in the case.

The allegations against Gye Worthy are matters for the court, and he is entitled to due process.