A father is set to be sentenced for assault following an incident at his son’s funeral in Middlesbrough. Gye Worthy, 40, admitted to attacking the funeral celebrant, Paul Maull, after becoming angered that he was not mentioned during the eulogy for Worthy’s son, Cole. Maull had referenced the teenager’s stepfather but omitted Worthy, who is an offshore worker.

The disturbance took place at Teesside Crematorium during the service for Cole Worthy, who was among five individuals killed in a crash on the A66 in August. The incident involved a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way on the road, which collided with a police vehicle, resulting in the deaths of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, as well as the occupants of the Passat.

In addition to the assault charge, Worthy also admitted to using threatening language and obstructing police officers who attended the scene. Worthy faces sentencing before Teesside magistrates.

A family source described the funeral events as deeply distressing, noting that Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was left “devastated and shocked” by the disruptions during the service.