A66 CRASH, FOUR D3A:D AND DARK PASTS REVEALED: Criminal Records Of VW Occupants K!l:l3d In Horror Smash Uncovered
The criminal records of four VW occupants killed in A66 horror crash revealed
Cole Worthy, Makai Saddington, Jakub Matusiak and Theo Rae all have previous court convictions, it has been confirmed, as floral tributes continue to be laid following the A66 tragedy
Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy and Jakub Matusiak
Four of the five people inside a VW Passat, who died when their car collided with a police vehicle killing two officers, had criminal records, it has emerged. Cole Worthy, Makai Saddington and Theo Rae have all pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers at Teesside Magistrates’ Court previously.
The teenagers – along with 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak and Michael Robert Cahill – lost their lives in the South Bank crash in the early hours of Saturday morning, August 22. Two officers – PC Matthew Blades, 37, and 38-year-old PC Tom Clough – were also killed in the crash, which has shook the Teesside community.
The VW Passat was being pursued by Cleveland Police officers when it drove down the A66 carriageway against the flow of traffic. The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) said the pursuit was aborted at this point and, around 10 seconds later, the Passat then collided with the marked armed response vehicle, which was travelling in the right direction.
Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
It has previously been reported that Makai Saddington, age 18, had recently pleaded guilty at Teesside Magistrates’ Court charged with 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 records of four of the five defendants have been confirmed with information provided by Cleveland Police. Michael Robert Cahill, 23, however, had no previous convictions.
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 left at the scene in memory of the five young men who died in the crash. One message said: “Theo what can we say, you really was [sic] the most beautiful kind hearted lad anyone could meet.” 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.”
Floral tributes left at scene in memory of five VW occupants
Floral tributes left at scene in memory of five VW occupants
Earlier on Monday, August 24, Cleveland Police confirmed 12 people have been arrested in the aftermath of the crash following a complex and fast-paced investigation. Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61 have been arrested on suspicion of several offences.
These range from possession of a firearm to participating in the activities of an organised crime group. At the current time, there is no evidence to indicate that filming of the activities that took place on Friday night and Saturday morning has taken place for the purposes of TikTok, the force has said.
