Judge issues arrest warrant for man who assaulted funeral celebrant after A66 crash

A district judge in Teesside has ordered a warrant for the arrest of Gye Worthy, 40, after he missed scheduled hearings for multiple offences. Worthy was due to be sentenced for assaulting celebrant Paul Maull at a funeral, for resisting arrest at the same event, and for the theft of four bottles of wine valued at £30. Deputy District Judge Julia Baggs approved a non-bail warrant, meaning Worthy will be held in custody once apprehended.

The court heard he offered no explanation for his non-attendance and had not communicated with his solicitors. A prior warrant had already been issued following his failure to appear earlier in the week. The incidents are linked to the aftermath of a fatal A66 collision that claimed the lives of two police officers and five young people.