A Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter has been charged with a public order offence after allegedly mocking a fatal crash during a Championship match. Bradley Aston, 20, of no fixed address, was arrested in connection with a message that allegedly made light of a collision on the A66 in County Durham which claimed three lives.
Incident at Middlesbrough match
The alleged offence took place during the Middlesbrough v Wolverhampton Wanderers game in Teesside on Saturday. Aston was arrested after an image circulated online appeared to show a phone held in the air displaying a message referencing the fatal collision. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before magistrates in Wolverhampton.
PC Chris Hilton, dedicated football officer, said: "I want to thank the public for their support during this investigation, and thanks also go to West Midlands Police for their collaborative efforts."
Police response and investigation
Hilton added: "I hope this robust and swift action demonstrates our commitment to making sure football matches are a safe and enjoyable environment for all." Cleveland Police confirmed that officers acted quickly after receiving reports of the incident, working alongside West Midlands Police as part of the investigation.
A spokesman for Cleveland Police said incidents reported by supporters or the public would be fully investigated and prosecuted where appropriate. The case has attracted attention among football supporters after the image was widely shared online.
Commitment to tackling offensive behaviour
Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling disorder and offensive behaviour at football matches. Aston is scheduled to appear in court in Wolverhampton. Aston faces a Section 4A Public Order offence, which covers threatening or abusive behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
The investigation was supported by West Midlands Police, and the public's assistance was acknowledged by the dedicated football officer. Cleveland Police have emphasised that such incidents will be dealt with firmly, with the aim of ensuring football remains a safe environment for all attendees.
