Police name man accused of ‘mocking A66 crash’ at Middlesbrough football match

A 20-year-old has been charged with a public order offence after images emerged of a football fan apparently mocking Middlesbrough supporters following the crash on the A66 which killed seven people, according to police. Cleveland Police previously said a 20-year-old man from Walsall was arrested after Boro beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The force said in an update later Monday that Bradley Aston has been charged, remanded in custody and will appear at court in Wolverhampton on Tuesday morning. Cleveland Police’s Dedicated Football Officer (DFO), PC Chris Hilton, 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. “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 said a 20-year-old from Walsall was arrested after Boro beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday (PA) The arrest comes after photos circulated online of what was believed to be a Wolves fan holding up a mobile phone with the message “Police Killed Your Own” on the screen. The crash on the A66 killed two police officers and five young men in the early hours of 22 August. An official investigation has found that police did not use a stinger or initiate “tactical contact” prior to the head-on crash between a marked police vehicle and a VW Passat which was heading the wrong way along a dual-carriageway, moments after a pursuit had been aborted. Cleveland Police’s Hilton previously said: “Working closely with West Midlands Police , we were quickly able to identify and arrest a suspect in connection with an incident involving footage of potentially alarming and distressing behaviour captured during the match on Saturday. “We began the investigation into this incident immediately after we were made aware of this footage following the match. “We will always deal with incidents of this nature quickly and robustly to make sure the message is loud and clear that anyone attending a football match should be able to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment. “We will take enforcement action and investigate anyone suspected of trying to cause disruption. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the majority of fans who turned out on Saturday at the Riverside Stadium whose sole aim was to enjoy the match with fellow football fans.”