Middlesbrough ‘on lockdown’ as schools shut ahead of A66 funeral – & teachers accused of ‘giving in to quadbike thugs’

SCHOOLS in Middlesbrough have shut ahead of a funeral for one of the A66 victims, but teachers have been accused of “giving in” to thugs.

Jakub Matusiak, 23, was one of five travelling the wrong way down the A66 when their car collided with a cop vehicle on August 22.

Schools in the area said “felt they had no option but to close early” due to fears of disruption from his funeral being held today.

Several schools, as well as a medical centre, announced that they will be closing early due to the disruption expected by the funeral, which is taking place at St John the Evangelist Church.

It comes after a rowdy memorial was held for Jakub on August 24, during which balaclava clad mourners performed wheelies and shot flares.

A gang of around 20 masked youths on scooters, off-road bikes and quad bikes roared around a field in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, in honour of Matusiak, who himself had convictions for motoring offences.

Hundreds of orange balloons – chosen because it was his favourite colour – were released into the sky amid cheers from the crowd.

At a twisted vigil for Robert Cahill, 23 – another one of the A66 crash victims – motors were burned to a crisp in a field.

Cahill’s friends paid tribute to him by skidding the cars around a farmer’s field and churning up the ground before setting the motors alight. It is not clear who the cars belonged to.

Kate Dearden MP, described the scenes as “absolutely horrendous” and there are fears of a similar turnout at the service for Jakub today.

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In stark contrast, devastated colleagues of the two officers bowed their heads for a poignant minute’s silence in tribute to the fallen PCs.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said kids should not be kept out of classrooms and called on Education Secretary Lucy Powell to “ensure that this does not impact on the honest and decent pupils, parents and teachers”.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Alec Brown said it is “awful” that children’s education is being disrupted and said any dangerous riding, reckless driving, or anti-social behaviour is “not acceptable”.

A spokesperson for the council said the decision to close schools early followed discussions between local headteachers and the authority over anticipated traffic and transport disruption.

They said the decision was made after “careful consideration of the potential impact on home-to-school transport and the departure of pupils, staff and families at the end of the school day”.

The shocking A66 smash saw a Volkswagen Passat crash into a cop car while driving in the wrong direction, killing PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.

The five young men in the Passat, who also died, were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.

The A66 smash has sparked a wave of gang violence in Middlesbrough, with two hundred specialist cops being drafted in to restore order.

The fallout saw a gangland feud which had been bubbling up for months burst out into the open.

Sources say homes have been rammed for months as part of a tit-for-tat campaign involving rivals amid a gangland feud over “drugs and money“.

Local MP Andy McDonald previously said residents feel “trapped in their own homes” and don’t feel safe enough to go to the shops.

South Bank Primary School said it would be closing at 12pm on Friday “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils”.

In a message posted on social media, head teacher Tammy Cooper said: “A funeral is being held locally at St John’s church on Normanby Road that day and we are expecting large numbers of people in the area which will inevitably cause congestion and transport disruption in the immediate area.

“This decision has been reached after careful consideration of the potential impact on the departure of pupils, staff and families.

“We recognise the inconvenience this may cause and thank our families for their understanding and co-operation.”

She said the school also recognises “some pupils may feel upset or anxious about the funeral taking place locally” and the pastoral team would be available for support.

In a letter to parents, Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy in Normanby, said the school would also close from midday after discussions between local headteachers and the council.

Cllr Brown said he “fully understands that funerals are deeply personal occasions, and I respect the right of families to grieve” but is “deeply concerned” over the school closures.

“Our children should be able to attend school safely and without their education being affected by events happening elsewhere,” he said.

“Parents should not be put in the position of having to make alternative arrangements for their children because schools are worried about road disruption or potentially dangerous behaviour, and potentially losing income for work.

“I think it is awful that our children’s education is being disrupted because of concerns about what might happen on our roads.

“If anyone intends to use tomorrow as an excuse for dangerous riding, reckless driving, road blockages or antisocial behaviour, my message is clear: that is not acceptable.

“Our children, teachers and families should not have to bear the consequences.

“As leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, I am seeking assurances that everything possible is being done to keep our communities safe and minimise disruption.

COPS MAKE 12 ARRESTS

Twelve people have been arrested on offences, including being involved with organised crime, by detectives investigating the lead-up to the A66 crash which killed two police officers.

Two men, aged 24 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon, and are currently in police custody.
A woman, aged 30, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and is in police custody.
A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon, and is in police custody.
A man, aged 21, was arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. He has been remanded on recall to prison.
A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threats to cause criminal damage and public order, and is in police custody.
A woman, aged 61, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and has been released on conditional bail.
A woman, aged 47, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs, and has been released on conditional bail.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs. He has been released on unconditional bail.
A man, aged 39, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs, and was released on conditional bail.
A 26-year-old man from Redcar has been charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property.
A man, aged 39, who was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill has been released on conditional bail.

“We can show compassion for grieving families while still being absolutely firm about protecting our children, our roads and our communities.”

She added: “I have been informed that numerous schools in the area will close early – citing ‘transport disruption’ – due to commemorations for those who were not serving in the line of duty on 22 August.

“I do not think we should support this.”