Five men have been charged with a series of offences after a hearse was driven onto a pitch, forcing a football match to be abandoned.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation into a number of linked events, including two vehicles entering the field at half-time during a fixture between Dunston UTS and Gateshead in July 2023.

The hearse and a Subaru were driven in circles on the grass before balaclava-clad men stepped out onto the pitch. Leaflets were scattered across the ground before the group fled in the Subaru prior to police arriving, leaving the hearse behind.

Further incidents followed across Tyneside and a vehicle was stolen in the Durham area.

On Tuesday, Northumbria Police said Carl Barron, 43, of Grange Villa, Co Durham, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal.

Ian Boddy, 44, formerly of Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, has been charged with conspiracy to steal and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

Darren Kay, 31, from Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, has been charged with conspiracy to make threats to kill.

Graeme Rutherford, 54, of Birtley, Gateshead, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to make threats to kill.

John Wright, 42, of Tow Law, Co Durham, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to make threats to kill and conspiracy to steal.

They were due to appear before the courts later this week.

Detective Chief Inspector David Johnson, of Northumbria Police, said: “We’ve been working through a long-spanning and complex investigation since we were first aware of this activity, which we have always treated as being linked.

“Operation Sentinel is our regional response to reports of serious and organised crime – and our teams have worked tirelessly alongside our colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service to have now reached these charges.

“As ever, we would ask the public to refrain from any kind of speculation – both in the community and online – which could negatively impact the proceedings.”