A66 crash victim Michael Cahill 'linked to gang at centre of North East drug turf feud'

A66 crash victim Michael Cahill 'linked to gang at centre of North East drug turf feud' It is feared that the violence gripping Middlesbrough, which cost the lives of two police officers, stems from conflict between wider organised crime groups (OCGs) Michael Cahill one of the five young men who died in the A66 crash, had links with one group. One of the men who died in the A66 tragedy had links to an organised crime gang at the centre of a violent drug turf war. It is feared that the violence gripping Middlesbrough, which cost the lives of two police officers, stems from conflict between wider organised crime groups (OCGs). Michael Cahill was one of the five young men who died in the A66 wrong way crash. He had links to the Freeman organised crime gang, with a man closely linked to them posting messages from a vigil held for Cahill in Co Durham last week. Earlier this year, the High Court heard that the North East-based Freeman gang had a long running feud with another family, led by John Henry Sayers, who lived on Tyneside. Their rivalry was laid bare during an Old Bailey trial over a ramming and arson incident. In July, Sayers Snr and his son John Henry Sayers Jnr were cleared of causing grievous bodily harm after claiming self-defence during a violent confrontation with a member of the Freeman gang. Walter Patterson, used as a 'foot soldier' for the Freemans, was jailed for four years along with four other gang members. John Freeman was jailed for three years in 2019 after setting up a fake drug deal and beating a rival in a gang turf war. "I am John Freeman, you have been selling drugs in my area," he warned the victim as he rained down "blow after blow" with two others before stealing half a kilogram of cocaine worth up to £22,000, Teesside crown court heard. Freeman added: "Do what you want in Sunderland and Washington but don't you come into Durham or Hetton again selling drugs." A man closely linked to John Freeman attended the vigil for Mr Cahill in Haswell, Co Durham, where mobs of youths torched cars and let off flares and fireworks last week. The Mirror told how the A66 crash and drug turf feud was sparked by a 'fall out' between two rival gang members. Police officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died after their marked police vehicle collided with a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 near Middlesbrough as it was driven the wrong way up a dual carriageway. Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and 23-year-olds Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were in the Passat. They were pronounced dead at the scene in South Bank on the outskirts of Middlesbrough. Cole Worthy's father's home in Acklam, Middlesbrough, was ram-raided at 3am on August 22, just 40 minutes before the devastating A66 crash. One of the men said to have been in that vehicle was a rival of Cole Worthy. It is believed Worthy and four friends then set off on a revenge mission to track down the Volvo XC60 used in the ram raid, ending in the collision that killed the two officers. Police are investigating whether Cahill, Worthy and the other passengers killed in the Passat were being used by organised crime gangs in a drugs turf war in Grangetown, an area on the outskirts of Middlesbrough. Natalie McDonald and her niece Valentina Foster died in a suspected arson attack there last week. A man has appeared in court charged with their murders. Cleveland Police say that the deaths are not believed to be linked to the A66 crash. Previously, in a separate case, the Old Bailey heard that a 'number of individuals are known to be associated with the Freeman organised crime group'. Prosecutors explained that the OCG was led by John Freeman controlling the attacks on the Sayers. In September 2022, masked men on an off-road bike set fire to a van owned by Sayers Jnr in Newcastle. It triggered a series of attacks on the Sayers' home in Newcastle and associated properties which went on for years, the High Court was told. The jury heard that a "number of individuals are known to be associated with the Freeman organised crime group". Prosecutors said the group has a hierarchy with someone called John Freeman controlling the incidents against the Sayers family. The court was told police were aware from 2022 the organised crime group were behind a number of incidents aimed at the Sayers family. On January 31 2025, Sayers junior's VW Golf was set on fire outside their home. The police also had information there was a rumour an organised crime group were recruiting someone to murder Sayers senior. Jurors were told "the police had information the same group responsible for (an earlier attack on Sayers) had been discussing finishing the job, with this potentially happening in the presence of his children". Police told Sayers he was at risk of being killed. He was later issued with a further notice that he and his family were at risk. It said: "Northumbria Police are in receipt of information that a member of the Sayers family is at risk of serious harm." The court heard there was no evidence either defendant sought to respond to any of the attacks with violence.