Criminal data of group lifeless in wrong-way horror crash revealed in full as two cops killed
The five men who died in the A66 horror crash in South Bank, Teesside, have been named with four of having previous criminal records, police have confirmed
12 individuals were arrested following the crash
Four of the five individuals inside a VW Passat, who perished when their vehicle crashed into a police car killing two officers, had previous criminal convictions, it has been revealed. Cole Worthy, Makai Saddington and Theo Rae had all previously admitted to assaulting police officers at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.
The teenagers – alongside 23 year old Jakub Matusiak and Michael Robert Cahill – lost their lives in the South Bank collision during the early hours of Saturday morning, August 22. Two officers – PC Matthew Blades, 37, and 38 year old PC Tom Clough – also died in the crash, which has left the Teesside community reeling.
The VW Passat was being chased by Cleveland Police officers when it travelled down the A66 carriageway in the wrong direction. The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the pursuit was called off at this stage and, approximately 10 seconds later, the Passat then smashed into the marked armed response vehicle, which was travelling in the correct direction.
Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy and Jakub Matusiak
It has previously been disclosed that Makai Saddington, age 18, had recently admitted guilt at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on charges of assaulting a police officer and racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm and distress during an incident in Middlesbrough on June 9, earlier this year.
Now, the criminal histories of four of the five defendants have been verified with information supplied by Cleveland Police. Michael Robert Cahill, 23, however, had no previous convictions, reports Teesside Live.
Cole Worthy
- Use threatening abusive language to cause harassment, alarm and distress on 27 October 2024 and pleaded guilty
- Failing to surrender to custody on 14 May 2025 and pleaded guilty
- Common assault of a police officer on 27 April 2025 and pleaded guilty
- Driving without a licence on 7 June 2026 and pleaded guilty
- Using a vehicle without insurance on 7 June 2026 and pleaded guilty
- Driving without reasonable consideration on 7 June 2026 and pleaded guilty
- Driving using a mobile phone on 7 June 2026b and pleaded guilty
Makai Saddington
- Possession of a controlled class C drug on 31 May 2025 and pleaded guilty
- Possession of a knife in a public place on 31 May 2025 and pleaded guilty
- 11 October 2025 three offences for assaulting a police officer and pleaded guilty
- Assaulted a police officer on 9 June 2026 and pleaded guilty
- Racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm and distress on 9 June 2026 and pleaded guilty
Theo Rae
- 12 shoplifting offences between 21 October 2023 and 4 May 2024 and pleaded guilty to all offences
- Three thefts from motor vehicle offences between 31 January 2024 and 25 September 2024 and pleaded guilty to all offences
- One theft of vehicle on 13 April 2024 and pleaded guilty
- Possession of cannabis on 22 April 2024 and pleaded guilty
- Aggravated vehicle taking on 16 May 2024 and pleaded guilty
- Aggravated vehicle taking 2 January 2025 and pleaded guilty
- Conviction of an offence while a youth rehabilitation order is in force on 26 February 2025 and pleaded guilty
- Assaulted a police officer on 30 April 2026 and pleaded guilty
Jakub Matusiak
- Using a vehicle without insurance on 22 March 2026 and pleaded guilty
- Driving without a licence on 22 March 2026 and pleaded guilty
Floral tributes have been laid at the scene in memory of the five young men who tragically lost their lives in the crash. One heartfelt message read: “Theo what can we say, you really was [sic] the most beautiful kind hearted lad anyone could meet.”
Floral tributes left at scene in memory of five VW occupants
Another said: “My Coley. I love you so much. I am so grateful for the time we got to spend together. I just can’t believe I will never see you again.”
Earlier on Monday, 24 August, Cleveland Police confirmed that 12 individuals have been arrested following the crash as part of a complex and rapidly unfolding investigation. Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, have been taken into custody on suspicion of various offences.
These range from possession of a firearm to involvement in the activities of an organised crime group. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that filming of the activities that occurred on Friday night and Saturday morning was intended for TikTok, the force has stated.
